The Oocl-Montreal: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On July 20, 2017, customs officials at the Port of Montreal made a startling discovery of four stowaways hidden within a shipping container on the 'OOCL Montreal.' The men, all in their thirties and hailing from Georgia, were found after enduring a grueling twelve-day journey concealed among a shipment of cars in the container. Upon their arrival in Montreal, two of the individuals were reported to be suffering from dehydration and difficulties with breathing, necessitating immediate medical attention. They were subsequently transported via ambulance to Santa Cabrini Hospital, where their conditions were later stabilized. The 'OOCL Montreal' had departed from Hamburg on the evening of July 10 and docked at the Montreal Gateway Wharf on the evening of July 18. The situation came to light when customs officers randomly inspected the containers around 7:15 a.m. on the day of the discovery. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), along with the Canada Border Services Agency and port authorities, are currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) has officially updated the terminal arrangements for its Gateway Express 2 (GEX2) service concerning the Hamburg port call. The last vessel to dock at Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) will be the Toronto Express, on voyage 64W45/64E47, which is scheduled to arrive in Hamburg on October 31, 2015. Following this transition, the first vessel to call at Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) will be the OOCL Montreal, on voyage 70W46/70E48, with an expected arrival on November 7, 2015. Notably, the berth window at Hamburg will remain consistent despite this terminal change.

In a significant legal ruling, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) based in Hong Kong has been ordered to pay a fine of €50,000 (approximately US$69,000) following an involuntary manslaughter verdict connected to the tragic death of an executive. The incident occurred over a decade ago, on July 3, 2003, aboard the 4,400-TEU vessel OOCL Montreal, which was docked at Le Havre, France. Courtenay Allan, the executive in question, died after falling six stories down an elevator shaft when the lift's doors unexpectedly opened, revealing the empty shaft. At the time, Allan, who was 53 years old and led OOCL's operations in the transatlantic trade, was attending a drinks party aboard the ship. This ruling comes after a prolonged fight for justice by Allan's three sons—Ben, Hayden, and Tristan Allan—who have expressed relief in a public statement, affirming, "After 11 years of campaigning for justice, we are pleased that OOCL has finally been held responsible for our father's premature death." The court's decision marks a significant milestone in their quest for accountability in this tragic case.