By Alex Binkley
Great Lakes ship operators are divided on their prospects for 2019 with Algoma Central, Canada Steamship Lines and Fednav cautiously optimistic that they will be at least as busy as in 2018. The 6.8 per cent increase in cargo handled by The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation in 2018 over 2017 adds to their confidence.
By Brian Dunn
The port of Montreal continues to grow its operations with a new record set in the container sector, handling a total of 1.6 million containers last year, an increase of 9 per cent over 2017. Total volume handled was 39 million tonnes, up 2.3 per cent during the corresponding period. It marks the fifth year in a row that total tonnage has increased. (more…)
By Alex Binkley
Spliethoff, operating under the name BigLift, and McKeil Marine have geared up to serve the demand for project cargo shipments on the Seaway/Great Lakes. Their preparation has been matched by the ports of Thunder Bay, Hamilton, Johnston and Valleyfield as well as several U.S. harbours. However, just how much project cargo moves through the Seaway-Great Lakes is hard to pin down because the St. Lawrence Seaway doesn’t report project cargo volumes as a separate category. It’s included in the general cargo category and to the end of September, general cargo passing through the Seaway stood at 2.2 million tonnes, down 6.2 per cent compared to same period in 2017. (more…)
Marine shipping executives urged the swift introduction of new legislation to modernize mandatory pilotage services when they met with Canadian federal government officials during Marine Day on the Hill on October 16, organized by the Chamber of Marine Commerce. (more…)
According to the latest figures, U.S. grain shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway from March 29 to August 31 topped one million metric tonnes, up 31 per cent over the same period last year. The majority of U.S. exports originated from the port of Toledo and were carry-over from the 2017 grain season. The grain rush has helped boost overall cargo shipments on the St. Lawrence Seaway for the season to 21.4 million metric tonnes, representing a four per cent increase over volumes this time last year. Liquid bulk shipments at 2.8 million metric tonnes are also up 33 per cent, with coal at 1.5 million metric tonnes, up 30 per cent. Dry bulk shipments reached 5.5 million metric tonnes, down four per cent. (more…)
Sustainable development and innovation are at the heart of the Montreal Port Authority’s (MPA) business practices and strategic plan.
“The MPA is at the forefront of the marine sector’s movement towards a future where emerging technologies, efficiency and sustainable development go hand in hand,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvie Vachon. “We are an organization that is committed to protecting the environment, to its neighbouring communities, and to its contribution to the economic growth of Montreal, Quebec and Canada. The innovative projects that we are undertaking all have a positive impact on these three pillars of sustainable development.” (more…)
