The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced late-December closures for its Montreal-Lake Ontario section and for the Welland Canal, likely assuring another record-long season for the shipping passage.
The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. posted 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29 as the planned closing date for the seaway’s Montreal-Lake Ontario section, which opened this year on March 21, its earliest-ever opening date. Ships will, however, need permits to travel on that section after Dec. 24.
The Welland Canal, which also had a record-early opening date of March 20 this year, is to remain open to vessels until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 30, weather permitting. Ships will need permits to travel on the canal after Dec. 26.
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The previous record season for the Montreal-Lake Ontario section was last year’s at 283 days, when it opened March 23 and closed Dec. 30. The Welland Canal opened March 21 last year and also closed Dec. 30.
The seaway authority cautioned in a notice to shippers on Thursday that “severe climatic conditions” could still occur during the expected closing period. “Should this happen, there is a chance that the dates outlined may not be met.”
The U.S.-operated Sault Ste. Marie Locks are set to officially close at midnight, Jan. 15.
