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Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System Kicks Off 65th Navigation Season

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 1920
March 24, 2023

The binational waterway remains a cornerstone of international trade and cooperation, supporting jobs, economic growth, and sustainability in North America.

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System (Seaway System) commenced its 65th navigation season, celebrating its pivotal role in connecting the U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes ports to global markets.

The U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) and its Canadian counterpart, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), marked the occasion at the St. Lambert Lock in Montreal, Canada, on Wednesday, March 22.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the Seaway System’s importance in sustaining supply chains, creating jobs, and combating climate change. ” “As we open the Seaway System’s 65th season, it remains a model of international cooperation and a cornerstone of America’s trade with the rest of the world,” he said.

GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht and SLSMC President/CEO Terence Bowles, along with USDOT Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Christopher Coes and Transport Canada Associate Deputy Minister Dominic Rochon, welcomed the transit of the first commercial vessel of the season. Tindall-Schlicht lauded the Seaway System’s resilience, advanced technology, infrastructure investments, and exceptional reliability record, expressing optimism for a prosperous shipping season.

Terence Bowles, SLSMC President and CEO, underscored the Seaway’s critical role in the North American supply chain, supporting industries and promoting sustainable development. With its cutting-edge technology, the Seaway System ensures reliable transportation of essential goods and looks forward to increased use of this marine corridor in the years ahead.

The Seaway System not only supports more than 237,000 jobs and generates $35 billion in economic activity in the U.S. and Canada, but also plays a significant role in North America’s climate goals. The maritime commerce facilitated by the system’s 15 locks moves over 35 million metric tons of cargo annually.

With ships crossing the international border 27 times between Montreal and Lake Erie, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada work in close partnership to ensure a safe and seamless transit experience.

In a fitting tribute to the Seaway System’s legacy, the first vessel to pass through the St. Lambert Lock was the Algoma Central Corporation’s Capt. Henry Jackman, a Seawaymax Equinox Bulk Carrier built in 2021.

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