Port of Montreal to Present Historic Gold-Headed Cane to Captain of First Vessel to Arrive in 2026

Montreal | January 2026 — The Port of Montreal has declared that it is going to award its historic Gold-Headed Cane to the captain of the first ocean-going ship to dock at the port in 2026. It will be awarded to Captain Andrejs Kuharenoks, the master of the oil tanker Byzantion, the first vessel to arrive in the harbour of Montreal this year.

Based on a statement posted by the Port of Montreal on social media, the award ceremony has a maritime tradition dating back to approximately 1840. The Gold-Headed Cane is a depiction of the re-opening of the St. Lawrence River following several months of shipping activities that had been stopped by winter ice.

The arrival of the first ship in Montreal after winter was a big occasion in past and the people met at the docking bay to receive the ships which in most cases had supplies like food, clothes and other necessities. Although in the past ice conditions would interfere with maritime traffic, navigation all year round has been available since 1964.

The tradition helps to emphasize maritime rich tradition of Montreal and its long-term relation to maritime shipping.