CSA concerned that one Canadian ice-breaker is not enough
With the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway facing the thickest and broadest ice cover in years, The Canadian Shipowners Association (CSA) is extremely concerned that Canadas ice breakers will not be able to create and maintain the routes needed to move key cargo to Canadian and American industries. The Canadian Coast Guard is doing its best to work with limited resources, but this situation is rippling into Canadas transportation and economic system. Despite Canadian government efforts to encourage the movement of grain, it will remain stored in ports such as Thunder Bay until ice breakers can assist in opening the port and supporting ship movements. In addition, the St. Lawrence Seaway has decided to delay its planned March 28 opening because the Canadian Coast Guard cannot provide sufficient ice breakers to support the navigation of ships between Montréal and Lake Superior, jeopardizing already low stocks of commodities including iron ore. The Canadian Coast Guards fleet of ice breaking ships is aging and too few in numbers to support the economic and environmental benefits of short-sea-shipping in Canada. The Canadian Shipowners Association calls on the Canadian Coast Guard to immediately fulfill its support to maritime commerce and asks the Government ...
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