Bulk Carrier Grounding Shuts Saint Lawrence Seaway

Algoma Spirit aground in Cornwall, Ontario. Photo: SeawayNNY

A section of the Saint Lawrence Seaway was shut down this weekend following the grounding of a Canadian-flagged bulk carrier.

The Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) reported that the gearless bulk carrier MV Algoma Spirit, carrying a cargo of grain, ran aground Saturday at approximately 4:00 p.m. in Canadian waters east of the Seaway International Bridge in Cornwall, Ontario.

The grounding forced the suspension of commercial navigation for “Sector 2” of the Saint Lawrence Seaway beginning at approximately 4:11 p.m.

The vessel was refloated Sunday night at about 11:30 p.m. and was escorted by two tugs to the St.-Zotique Anchorage for further inspection and investigation by Transport Canada.

Commercial navigation resumed at approximately 12:45 a.m. Monday, the SLSDC said.

There were no injuries or pollution reported as a result of the grounding.

The grounding of the MV Algoma Spirit follows the grounding of the Bahamas-flagged MV Juno last month in the vicinity of Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River, New York.

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