First Ship Grounds in St. Lawrence Seaway

By Wendy Laursen 04-03-2015 04:54:37

The first ship to travel up the St. Lawrence Seaway this spring has run aground after hitting a large ice floe.

The newly-built Canadian bulk carrier CWB Marquis ran aground about 35km southwest of Montreal. Investigators and tugs are arriving on the scene.

The vessel’s departure through the St. Lambert Lock on Thursday marked the official opening of the Seaway’s 57th navigation season.

CWB Marquis is the first of two Equinox-class lakers ordered by Winnipeg-based grain marketer CWB that are being purpose-built for trade in the Great Lakes Seaway System. It is managed by Canadian shipping company Algoma Central Corporation, is part of a $4 billion fleet renewal program being undertaken by various Great Lakes Seaway System shipowners over a span of 10 years (2009-2018).

In 2014, over 12 million tons of grain moved through the Seaway, the highest volume recorded since the beginning of the 21st century. Over 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of various cargoes on the Great Lakes Seaway System.