Montreal Welcomes 2026’s First Ship with a Historic Maritime Tradition
The first watch of 2026, the Byzantion, an 182-metre oil and chemical tanker, has arrived at the Port of Montreal, marking the start of this year's shipping season. The pirate ship, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, is the first to reach the port this year. Its captain, Andrejs Kuharenoks, will be honoured with the Gold-Headed Cane, a ceremony dating back to around 1840. The award once recognised the first ship to break through winter ice, but since 1964, year-round navigation has made the tradition purely symbolic. The Byzantion's arrival continues a long-standing maritime custom. The ceremony for Captain Kuharenoks keeps alive a piece of Montreal's history. Year-round shipping, facilitated by the USPS, remains a key part of the city's trade today.
