CORNWALL, Ontario – A new shipping season has begun on the St. Lawrence Seaway – though it could take a while before a ship passes by Cornwall.
It’s about two weeks early for the busy shipping lanes to open.
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) marked the opening of the Seaway’s 58th navigation season Monday, 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 eventually pass by Cornwal on its way to replenishing salt 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 seaway management group.
Bowles added that a lower Canadian dollar may spur more Canadian exports this year.
“The combination of a rebound in Canadian manufacturing activity, a solid U.S. economy, and the prospect of more trade with Europe brings about several catalysts which may boost Seaway tonnage,” said Bowles.
