The name Dara Desgagnés was new to the Desgagnés fleet in 2010, although this tanker had seen previous company service for their Petro-Nav subsidiary as Diamond Star. This double-hulled petroleum tanker was built by MTW Schiffswerft G.m.b.H. of Wismar, Germany, in 1992. It was constructed as Elbestern for Rigel Schiffahrts G.m.b.H. & Co. of Bremen, Germany.
Elbestern measured 405 feet, 10 inches in overall length, 58 feet, 1 inch at the beam and had a molded depth of 34 feet, 9 inches. Tonnage was calculated at 6,262 gross and 3,154 net tons. There are 12 epoxy coated cargo tanks with a total capacity of 68,018 barrels at a mid-summer draft of 27 feet, 5 inches. The ship is powered by a model 6L35MC Burmeister & Wain diesel engine that develops 5,032 brake horsepower and gives the ship a service speed of 12.5 knots.
After original trading under the flag of Germany, the vessel was enrolled at Halifax, Nova Scotia, as Diamond Star (C814363) by Rigel Canada Ltd. on November 15, 1993. Diamond Star was active distributing Ultramar oil products along the East Coast south to the Gulf of Mexico as well as to the Great Lakes. On December 24, 1996, this ship made the final downbound passage of the season for the Welland Canal and then closed the St. Lawrence Seaway two days later.
In recent years, the Desgagnés-owned subsidiary of Petro-Nav Inc. has acted as managers for Diamond Star. In 2008, they purchased the ship with the mortgage being held by the Royal Bank of Canada of Quebec City. On April 7, 2010, the ship was enrolled at Quebec City as Dara Desgagnés.
Her registry was closed on March 17, 2021 when she was sold to Soon Oil, Pedro Lluberes, Dominican Republic, registered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and renamed CARIBBEAN ENERGY. She departed Montreal on May 15, 2021 and is currently in service in the Caribbean.
Adapted with permission from “The Desgagnes Fleet” by Buck Longhurst, Mac Mackay, Skip Gillham.
| Ship Particulars | |
| Length | 405′ 10″ (123.71m) |
| Beam | 58′ 01″ (17.7m) |
| Depth | 34′ 09″ (10.6m) |
| Midsummer Draft | 27′ 05″ (8.36m) |
| Capacity | 6,262 tons |
| Engine Power | 5,032 bhp diesel |
| Previous Names | |
| Elbestern | 1992 – 1993 |
| Diamond Star | 1993 – 2010 |
| Dara Desgagnés | 2010 – Today |