By Mark Edward Nero
On Aug. 30, the Port of Vancouver USA and its representatives welcomed the bulk carrier Federal Iris, commanded by Capt. Donald Satsatin Nicolas from the Philippines, on the vessel’s maiden voyage to the United States.
The Federal Iris is operated by Federal Navigation of Montreal, aka Fednav, which is Canada’s largest ocean-going dry-bulk shipping company. The vessel is owned by Panama-based Forward Gloria Navigation.
The Panama-flagged cargo vessel, which is 656 feet long with a deadweight capacity of 63,498 metric tons and a gross tonnage of 35,832, was built in Japan and launched Aug. 9.
During its time at the Port of Vancouver USA, the Federal Iris loaded about 6,700 metric tons of copper concentrate before sailing to Portland, Oregon, to load soda ash. Next, the vessel is scheduled to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia to load wheat.
After the North American West Coast, her next scheduled destinations are China and Indonesia.
