Chamber of Marine Commerce Welcomes Oceanex

The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is proud to formally welcome Oceanex as a new member organization.

This ship operator is an important addition to the Chamber’s membership given the significant role it plays in supporting the movement of goods to and from the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Specifically, Oceanex carries approximately 50% of the goods coming to the island, and close to 75% of all products destined for the capital City of St. John’s and surrounding communities, which comprise the most densely populated part of the province – the Avalon Peninsula.

“As the nation focuses on activity that will make Canada the strongest economy in the G7, vital links in the supply chain provided by companies like Oceanex take on special importance, and the Chamber of Marine Commerce is proud to now call this organization a member and support it in achieving its mission,” said Jason Card, Director of Communications for the CMC. “Given Oceanex’s expertise in efficiently moving container, trailer and auto traffic, we look forward to the insights and expertise it will add to the diverse group of ship operators within our ranks.”

As a privately-owned short sea shipping company, Oceanex employs a staff of more than 450 people who provide full intermodal transportation services to clients that include retailers, wholesalers, organizations dealing in building materials and project cargo, and sellers of consumer and industrial products. The company’s fleet of Canadian flagged cargo vessels include the Oceanex Connaigra, Oceanex Avalon, and Oceanex Sanderling.

“Oceanex is proud to join the Chamber of Marine Commerce and stand alongside other leading organizations committed to advancing marine transportation in Canada,” stated Matthew Hynes, Executive Vice President at Oceanex. “As a key player in the supply chain connecting Newfoundland and Labrador to the rest of the country, we believe in the importance of strong collaboration, sustainable practices, and a resilient maritime sector. We look forward to working with the Chamber and its members to help shape the future of marine commerce in our region and beyond.”

Key Facts

With history dating back to 1909, Oceanex Inc. is a leading provider of door-to-door intermodal transportation services to and from Newfoundland and Labrador, delivering a comprehensive range of integrated shipping and trucking solutions.

Renowned for its efficiency, safety, and reliability, Oceanex offers fixed-day, year-round service between the Ports of Montreal, Halifax, and St. John’s using a fleet of modern, ice-class vessels.

With twice-weekly sailings from Montreal and weekly departures from Halifax, the company ensures fast and dependable transit times. Overland, Oceanex provides daily service from St. John’s to destinations across Newfoundland, maintaining a vital and consistent supply chain link for the region.

In July of 2023, an independent study by Martin Associates was released, confirming the tremendous importance of marine shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and coastal and arctic regions to the North American economy. The study revealed that the in-land and coastal marine industry:

• made a total annual contribution of at least $66.1 Billion CAD in economic activity across North America,
• supported approximately 360,000 jobs across the continent, and
• moved more than 252 million tonnes of vital cargoes.

The study was released with the endorsement of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Minister of Transport Canada and was developed at the mutual request of The Chamber of Marine Commerce, The Lake Carriers’ Association, The American Great Lakes Ports Association, The Shipping Federation of Canada, and the U.S. and Canadian management organizations that oversee Seaway operations.