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Groupe Océan


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Ocean's History

Ocean's origins trace back to 1972 when current President and CEO Gordon Bain created Aqua-Marine, from which the company we now know as Ocean Group Inc. emerged.

Here, in chronological order, are the main steps in Ocean Group's evolution, from its modest beginnings through the strong growth that made it the industry leader it is today:

  • 1972: Creation of Aqua-Marine by Gordon Bain, current President and CEO of Ocean Group Inc.
  • 1987: Aqua-Marine becomes Ocean Construction Inc. and acquires Québec Tugs Ltd., which would eventually become Ocean Remorquage Québec Inc. Ocean Construction offers services such as underwater intervention, equipment rental, inspection, construction and repair of submerged structures (wharves, bridge piers, etc.) and ship hulls, as well as support services for salvage operations such as refloating and wreck removal.
  • 1992: Acquisition of a tug-and-barge tandem and creation of a new subsidiary: Ocean Transport Maritime Inc.
  • 1993: Acquisition of McAllister Towing and Salvage, now known under the name of Ocean Remorquage Montréal Inc.
  • 1993: Through its new subsidiary McAllister Towing and Salvage, Ocean becomes a member of the prestigious International Salvage Union, whose head office is located in London, UK.
  • 1994: Acquisition of Sorel Tug Boats Inc., which now operates as Ocean Remorquage Sorel Inc.
  • 1995: Incorporation of Ocean Group Inc., holding company of Ocean Construction Inc. and Québec Tugs Ltd., as well as all other subsidiaries and divisions to come.
  • 1995: Ocean forms a partnership with Les Chantiers AML located on Île-aux-Coudres.
  • 1997: Ocean buys out the shipyard of Île-aux-Coudres and renames it Ocean Industries Inc.
  • 2002: Acquisition of Trois-Rivières Remorqueurs Ltée, later renamed Océan Remorquage Trois-Rivières Inc.
  • 2002: Ocean becomes the first Canadian company to join the ranks of the American Salvage Association based in Arlington, Virginia.
  • 2004: Acquisition of Dragage St-Maurice (1989) Inc.
  • June 2005: Ocean officially inaugurates Ocean Ontario Towing Inc., a new harbour towing subsidiary operating in the ports of Hamilton, Oshawa and Toronto.
  • October 2005: Launching of the Ocean K. Rusby, a new state-of-the-art tug equipped with "Z-Drive" propellers, engines developing 5,000 BHPs and bollard pull of 60 tons. This new tug, boasting an Ice 1A class hull, is also fitted with a FI-FI 1 firefighting system. It represents a major milestone in Ocean's harbour tug fleet.
  • January 2006: The Ocean Navigation subsidiary (formerly Ocean Transport Maritime Inc.) shares, along with its partner Kruger, the following awards: AQTR 2006 Environment Award; First Place in the transportation category during the 2006 Energia Gala; and Jury's Special Award, also during the 2006 Energia Gala.
  • November 2006: Ocean Industries inaugurates its new installations: a hauling slip that can accommodate ships up to 5,000 tons, as well as a new dock, thus increasing the shipyard's surface by 5,000 m2.
  • June 2007: Launching, at the Port of Montreal, of the Ocean Raymond Lemay, sister ship of the Ocean K. Rusby.
  • September 2007: Launching of the Ocean Henry Bain at the Port of Québec. The ship is named after the father of company president and founder, Gordon Bain. The Ocean Henry Bain is another sister ship of the Ocean K. Rusby and Ocean Raymond Lemay.
  • July 2009 : Launching of the Ocean Bertrand Jeansonne at the Port of Québec, fourth sister ship of the Ocean K. Rusby, Ocean Raymond Lemay and Ocean Henry Bain.
  • November 2009 : Launching of the Ocean Georgie Bain at the Port de Québec. Built at Ocean Industries, it is the seventh Z-Drive propulsion tug to be built at Ocean's shipyard.  The ship is named after the mother of company President and founder, Gordon Bain.
  • April 2010 : Creation of a new division, Océan Remorquage Côte-Nord inc. and official setting up of its operations in the Port of Sept-Îles. This decision is an important componant of the company's growth and development plans and supports Ocean's commitment to offer long term top quality equipment and services to the North Shore's marine community.
  • August 2010 : Inauguration of a new workshop for the Industrial and Ship Repair Division.  Recently settled in this new, state-of-the-art workshop, and reuniting all related services under one roof, Ocean is now even more ready to serve its customers with 1450 m? interior space and a 350 m wharf for topside repairs. 
  • September 2010 : New boatmen services offered from Section 104 in the Port of Montréal.
  • November 2010 : Launching of the Ocean Serge Genois at the Port of Montreal. Built at Ocean Industries, it is the eigth Z-Drive propulsion tug to be built at Ocean's shipyard.

Over the years, thanks to its acquisitions, strategic development and diversification, Ocean has become one of the main suppliers of integrated marine services in Canada and a leader in the Canadian marine industry. The Company intends to continue growing while maintaining a strong focus on its core services.