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Slsmc News

22 Mar 2024

St. Lawrence Seaway Opens Navigation Season

© Ravi / Adobe Stock

The St. Lawrence Seaway opened its 66th season of operation today with an official ceremony in Niagara Region.Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) was joined by U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Development Corporation Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht in welcoming the many who came out for the event, including M.P. Vance Badawey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of Transport.“We are thrilled to have a renewed Management Operations and Maintenance Agreement with the Government of Canada.

23 Oct 2023

Canada's Seaway Strike Impacts 115 Vessels in Great Lakes Route

© Joe / Adobe Stock

A strike in Canada's St. Lawrence Seaway entered its second day on Monday after workers walked off over a wage dispute, shutting down an important maritime trade route linking the Great Lakes to Montreal port and impacting about 115 vessels.Some 361 workers represented by the Unifor union went on strike on Sunday after failing to negotiate a new labor contract with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp (SLSMC), which along with a U.S. body operates the waterway linking the Great…

11 Jul 2023

Welland Canal Ship Traffic Resumes

© eranda / Adobe Stock

Two-way marine traffic resumed Monday night on the Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada after a power outage on Sunday led to a temporary suspension of navigation.The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), which manages and operates the Canadian assets of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said its maintenance personnel and contractors were able to restore service to Lock 1 by Monday afternoon and reopen Lock 7 by 10:30 p.m. that night.No one was harmed at any point during the outage or repair operations…

10 Jul 2023

Ship Traffic Halted After Power Outage Hits Welland Canal

© skyf / Adobe Stock

Vessel traffic through Ontario's Welland Canal has ceased after a power outage damaged equipment in two of its locks, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) said.The not-for-profit corporation, which manages and operates the Canadian assets of the St. Lawrence Seaway, said the outage occurred at 5:50 p.m. on Sunday, damaging hands-free mooring equipment in Locks 1 and 7. "SLSMC took immediate steps to ensure the safety of the public, personnel, vessels, infrastructure and the environment…

25 Mar 2020

St. Lawrence Seaway/Great Lakes Shipping Season Commences

© Daniel / Adobe Stock

The St. Lawrence Seaway’s 62nd navigation season kicked off on Tuesday with the transit of the Canadian-flagged cement carrier NACC Argonaut through Lock 8 on the Welland Canal.Then, in the early hours on Wednesday morning, first U.S.-flag commercial vessel transited the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., signaling the start of the U.S. fleet's 2020 sailing season.The Seaway’s Montreal / Lake Ontario section will open on April 1 this year, eight days after the opening of the Welland Canal.

18 Jan 2019

Seaway Activity Exceeds 40 Million Tonnes in 2018

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) has announced that tonnage on the waterway during the 2018 navigation season totaled 40.9 million tonnes. The highest result since 2007, much of the credit for the increase in tonnage can be given to healthy movements of grain, the best on record since the turn of the century. Marketing efforts under the “Highway H2O” initiative served as a catalyst to spur increased movements of a broad range of cargoes including grain, road salt, stone, cement, gypsum and refined fuels.The 2018 navigation season concluded on December 31st, with the transit of the Cedarglen through the Welland Canal’s Lock 8 ‎at 12:35, heading for Lake Erie. In the Montreal sector, the M.V. Floragracht was the last ship to transit, clearing the St.

09 Jan 2019

Seaway Tolls, Wharfage Charges both to Increase by 1.0% in 2019

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced a toll rate increase of 1.0% for the 2019 navigation season.Tariffs:The new revised tariff will be posted and available on the Seaway website today.Wharfage Charges:The St. Lawrence Seaway Wharfage and Storage Charges have been revised for the 2019 navigation season. Effective with the commencement of the 2019 navigation season, Wharfage Charges will increase 1%.The revised Tariff will be available today on the Web…

19 Oct 2018

St. Lawrence Seaway Workers Ratify Contract

A St. Lawrence Seaway bulk vessel (SLSMC)

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) has announced that its unionized employees, members of UNIFOR, ratified a three-year labor agreement covering the period of April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2021.Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC, praised the negotiating teams for achieving another multi-year agreement, and said, “A fair labor settlement was reached earlier this month, enabling the St. Lawrence Seaway to continue providing uninterrupted service to the thousands of entities that depend upon marine transportation…

05 Jun 2018

Tanker Refloated in St. Lawrence Seaway

A 17,000 dwt product tanker that ran aground in the St. Lawrence Seaway last week has been refloated and pulled free from the edge of the waterway.The Marshall Islands flagged Chem Norma was refloated Sunday after running aground near Morrisburg, Ontario last Tuesday. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) said the ship is undergoing an inspection process to ensure that it is ready to resume its transit.The 145-meter Chem Norma, carrying refined petroleum products, went aground at 4:09 AM on Tuesday, May 29, due to an issue with its rudder. The vessel came to rest against the edge of a designated anchorage area and was not blocking any traffic. No injuries or pollution have been reported.Among the federal and provincial authorities involved in the response were The St.

30 Mar 2018

St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season Begins

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation marked the opening of the Seaway’s 60th navigation season today, with the transit of the newly built Algoma Niagara through Lock 3 on the Welland Canal. State-of-the-art ships such as the Algoma Niagara serve as a key part of the supply chain serving to bolster the competitiveness of North American industry. Over 227,000 jobs are supported by cargo moving over the Great Lakes / Seaway System. Terence Bowles, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), noted in his opening address that 2018 marked both the 60th navigation season for the waterway and the 20th anniversary of the SLSMC. Created in 1998 as a not-for-profit corporation, the SLSMC succeeded the former St. Lawrence Seaway Authority.

18 Jul 2017

Canada Extends St. Lawrence Seaway Agreement

Canadian transport minister Marc Garneau announced a five-year extension to the Government of Canada’s agreement with the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation to manage, maintain and operate the Seaway. This extends the existing agreement until March 31, 2023, and will provide stability for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the marine shipping industry. A vital artery between the Great Lakes and the lower St. Lawrence River, the St. Lawrence Seaway connects the heartland of North America to the world as an important, competitive and sustainable transportation corridor. The St. Lawrence Seaway consists of 15 locks and connecting canals or channels extending from Montreal to Lake Erie. Within the Great Lakes and St.

21 Mar 2017

St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season Open

The U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation have jointly marked the opening of the Seaway’s 59th navigation season. The official opening ceremony of the binational waterway took place on March 20 at the St. Lambert Lock in Montreal with Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau attending as honored guest and SLSMC President and CEO Terence Bowles and SLSDC Deputy Administrator Craig H. Middlebrook addressing the gathering. “The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System is a tremendous asset that provides a safe and efficient means of moving cargo worldwide,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

25 Jan 2017

St. Lawrence Seaway Tolls to Rise 2%

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced a toll rate increase of 2 percent for the 2017 navigation season.

17 Jan 2017

Seaway Records Longest Navigation Season

After opening the 2016 season on March 21, the St. Lawrence Seaway closed on December 31, enjoying a navigation season of 286 days. This performance ties the record first established in 2008 and matched in 2013 for the longest navigation season. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation recorded a total of 35 million tonnes of cargo transiting the Seaway’s locks in 2016. Grain movements posted a strong performance for a third consecutive season, contributing 11 million tonnes of the total and continuing to track well above the five-year average. The Port of Thunder Bay, the principal point of entry for grain into the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System, reported a late-season surge in grain activity, as loadings in December trumped all previous December activity since 1995.

23 Mar 2016

Seaway Opens 58th Navigation Season Ice Free

Photo courtesy of SLSMC

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) marked the opening of the Seaway’s 58th navigation season, with the transit of Canada Steamship Lines’ Thunder Bay through Lock 3 on the Welland Canal. The ship, carrying a load of road salt, will be replenishing stocks depleted by ice storms which repeatedly struck Eastern Canada over the winter. “We certainly welcome the warmer weather. A return to an opening in the third week of March provides our clients with the opportunity to move cargo in a timely manner…

22 Mar 2016

Seaway Opens 58th Navigation Season

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) marked the opening of the Seaway’s 58th navigation season today, with the transit of Canada Steamship Lines’ Thunder Bay through Lock 3 on the Welland Canal. The ship, carrying a load of road salt, will be replenishing stocks depleted by ice storms which repeatedly struck Eastern Canada over the winter. “We certainly welcome the warmer weather. A return to an opening in the third week of March provides our clients with the opportunity to move cargo in a timely manner, and make the most of the navigation season” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC. Allister Paterson, President of Canada Steamship Lines, served as the keynote speaker at the opening.

12 Jan 2016

St. Lawrence Seaway Wraps Up Navigation Season

Photo courtesy of St. Lawrence Seaway

With water temperatures well above the 10-year average, the St. Lawrence Seaway closed its 2015 navigation season ice free on December 31. Thirty-six million metric tons of cargo transited the waterway during the season, with grain, at volumes well above the five-year average, leading the way. The Seaway once again proved to be a key asset for farmers as they shipped their crops to markets at home and overseas. Grain volumes on the Seaway amounted to 10.8 million metric tons, one of the strongest years in recent memory.

02 Apr 2015

Great Lakes Seaway Opens 57th Navigation Season

(L to R) Lafarge Purchasing Manager for Eastern Canada Ken Lerner, U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Administrator Betty Sutton, Saint Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation CEO Terence Bowles, Chief Engineer David Michalowicz, Captain Seann O'Donoughue, and CWB CEO Ian White in front of the CWB Marquis, April 2.

The U.S. and Canadian Seaway Corporations marked the opening of the Seaway's 57th navigation season today, with the transit of the newly-built CWB Marquis through the St. Lambert Lock. The vessel is the first of two Equinox-class lakers ordered by Winnipeg-based grain marketer CWB that are being purpose-built for trade in the Great Lakes Seaway System. In 2014, over 12 million tons of grain moved through the Seaway, the highest volume recorded since the beginning of the 21st century. Ian White, President and CEO of CWB, served as the keynote speaker at the opening.

13 Jan 2015

Seaway Set New Record

The Seaway concluded the 2014 navigation season with 40 million tonnes of cargo, which represents a full recovery from the 2009 global financial crisis and its ensuing aftermath. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced today that the Seaway closed for the season on January 1, 2015, with the eastbound vessel Sten Bergen transiting the St. Lambert Lock in Montreal at 00:22 a.m. The last vessel to exit the Welland Canal was the Algoma Navigator at 8:00 a.m. on December 31. Given an opening date of March 28th (about a week later than usual, reflecting frigid conditions in early spring) the 2014 Seaway navigation season amounted to 280 days in length.

12 Jan 2015

Seaway Hits Post Recession Cargo Highs

The Seaway concluded the 2014 navigation season with 40 million tonnes of cargo, which represents a full recovery from the 2009 global financial crisis and its ensuing aftermath. The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced today that the Seaway closed for the season on January 1, 2015, with the eastbound vessel Sten Bergen transiting the St. Lambert Lock in Montreal at 00:22 a.m. The last vessel to exit the Welland Canal was the Algoma Navigator at 8:00 a.m. on December 31. Given an opening date of March 28th (about a week later than usual, reflecting frigid conditions in early spring) the 2014 Seaway navigation season amounted to 280 days in length.

29 Aug 2014

Dool to Serve as Chair of SLSMC Board

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced that Tim Dool has been named as Chair of the Board of Directors, effective September 1. Dool was appointed to the Board in November of 2012, and represents domestic carriers. As the former President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation, he brings an extensive range of marine industry experience to the boardroom table. Dool succeeds Jonathan Bamberger, who has completed a two year term as Chair of the Board. Bamberger, President of Redpath Sugar, will continue to serve as a member of the Board. Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC, welcomed the appointment of Dool and expressed his gratitude to Mr. Bamberger for his service in chairing the Board. greatlakes-seaway.com

29 Oct 2014

St. Lawrence Seaway Receives Strike Notice

Photo: St. Lawrence Seaway

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) was served a 72-hour notice to strike by UNIFOR, a group representing the Seaway’s 460 unionized employees. The notice, which was issued Tuesday, October 28, indicates that the union intends to begin strike action as of 12:15 p.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014. As a result of UNIFOR’s strike notification, SLSMC has started implementing its detailed plans for an orderly and safe shutdown of the system within the 72-hour notice period. Should the unionized workers proceed with strike action, as scheduled, the St.

03 Nov 2014

Strike Averted at St. Lawrence Seaway

St. Lawrence Seaway and UNIFOR agree to binding arbitration, avoid strike The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced that it has reached agreement with UNIFOR, which represents the corporation’s 460 unionized employees, on Sunday evening to refer certain important issues to binding arbitration, also suspending the right to strike or lockout, ensuring that shippers will encounter uninterrupted navigation until March 31, 2018. Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC, said “I am very pleased that we have reached this agreement, which enables navigation on the Seaway to continue without interruption.”