St. Lawrence Seaway begins navigation season

The U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) joined with its binational partner, the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), to mark the opening of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System’s (Seaway System) 64th navigation season. The opening ceremony of the binational waterway took place in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.  Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra (who attended virtually), GLS Deputy Administrator Craig H. Middlebrook, and SLSMC President/CEO Terence Bowles welcomed the transit of the first commercial vessel of the season.

“The Seaway System, and the people operating it, have kept goods moving efficiently and reliably to and from America’s heartland when we needed them most,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We’re proud to open this year’s navigation season for the Seaway System, and, with our Canadian partners, support this critical part of our economy and supply chain.”

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System provides maritime commerce with reliable and efficient cargo movement that supports high-quality jobs in the U.S. and Canada and helps us address our joint climate goals. More than 237,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity in the U.S. and Canada are annually supported by movement of various cargoes on the Seaway System – more than 35 million metric tons of cargo each year.

“The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System’s performance continues to highlight its resiliency and importance as a maritime supply chain,” said GLS Deputy Administrator Craig H. Middlebrook. “An exceptional reliability record and significant investments in infrastructure and technology are enhancing efficiencies and keeping the Seaway System safe and competitive. We look forward to building on last season’s accomplishments.” 

“The Seaway System is ready to do its part to help reinvigorate trade, rebuild industries, and create a resilient and more stable supply chain,” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC.

A ship transiting the Seaway System’s 15 locks from Montreal to Lake Erie crosses the international border 27 times, and the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada work closely together to ensure that this transit experience is as safe and seamless as possible. 

The Canada Steamship Lines’ (CSL) Trillium Class bulk carrier CSL Welland was the first ship to transit through the Welland Canal.