March 5, 2019 – Canadian shipowners and The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation have spent an estimated $130 million on repair and infrastructure projects this winter, preparing for the 2019 shipping season and supporting the economies of communities throughout the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and east coast.
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) allocated $40 million for infrastructure upgrades and repairs in the Welland Canal and Montreal to Lake Ontario segments of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The work includes upgrades to electrical distribution systems, lock rehabilitation and canal bank protection in certain areas, among other projects.
Canadian shipowners have invested an estimated $90 million to prepare their ships for the upcoming season. Projects include steel replacement and coating projects, five-year dry dock inspections, communication and energy efficiency upgrades, standard maintenance checks and annual inspections.
“Every year, the marine industry invests in keeping our waterways, ships and locks safe and reliable and to improve our environmental performance,” said Bruce Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “This work will help ensure a successful 2019 shipping season and at the same time maintains marine-related jobs throughout the winter months in communities throughout the region.”
Vessel repairs and winter lay-up spans Canadian and U.S. ports facilities including Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Port Colborne, Toledo, Thunder Bay, Midland, Sarnia, Les Mèchins (Quebec), Hamilton, Port Maitland, Sturgeon Bay (Wisconsin), Sydney (NS), Sault Ste. Marie, Erie (Pennsylvania), Ashtabula (Ohio), and Windsor.
Note: Shipowner information includes aggregated data from Algoma Central Corporation, Groupe Desgagnés, CSL Group, McKeil Marine, McAsphalt Marine Transportation Limited, Rand Logistics and Ocean Group. The companies operate Canadian-flag ships, ATBs, tugs, work boats, pilot boats and dredges in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, east and North coasts.
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Flickr – Download photos of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence shipping:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marinecommerce/39879651892/in/album-72157657049769546/
About the Chamber of Marine Commerce
The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 130 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system’s significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Julia Fields
Chamber of Marine Commerce
(613) 294-8515
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is a bi-national association that represents diverse marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as Canadian domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system's significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Jason Card
Chamber of Marine Commerce
jcard@cmc-ccm.com
(613) 447 5401