Shippers, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, and Canadian ports are upgrading operations in anticipation of increasing demand based on an improving North American economy. The Seaway plans to spend $500 million through 2018 with $100 million being spent this year, on rebuilding seawalls, lock gates, bridge operations, and the extension of the use of a ‘hands-free’ mooring system with the eventual goal of operating the seaway from control centers putting ships automatically through the locks. Canada’s largest Great Lakes shipping line, Algoma Central Corp. will be adding eight Equinox cargo vessels to its fleet as part of a $400 million investment, and other shippers including Canadian Steamship Lines, Group Desgagnes, and Fednav are investing in new ships after Ottawa eliminated the 25% tax on foreign-built vessels. Despite a late start to the shipping season because of weather, 38 million tons of goods are expected to ship along the seaway in 2014 – up from 37 million last year.
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