Media advisory - The St. Lawrence Seaway opens March 22nd

Marks the beginning of greatest renewal seen in Great Lakes domestic shipping in 30 years

MONTREAL, March 14, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr. Louis Martel, President of Montreal-based Canada Steamship Lines, will serve as the keynote speaker at the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway's 55^th navigation season as he unveils its award-winning, newly-built ship to the public and media for the first time. The Baie St. Paul, which will be available for a media tour, is the first of a series of new environmentally-advanced Canadian Great Lakes bulk carriers to begin trading in the region.  This season marks the beginning of the greatest renewal seen in Great Lakes domestic shipping in 30 years.  Terence Bowles, CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, will also provide a forecast for the shipping season which is a good bellwether of economic conditions.

WHAT:	Official opening of the 2013 navigation season
WHO:	Louis Martel, President of Canada Steamship Lines Jean Boily, Manager of Cargill's Baie-Comeau Grain Terminal Craig Middlebrook - Acting Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (United States) Terence Bowles, President and CEO, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
WHERE:	St. Lambert Lock, 151 Écluse Street, St. Lambert
WHEN:	Friday, March 22^nd
	9:15 AM	-	Media arrival in the reception area of the administration building
	9:30 AM	-	Media tour of the Baie St. Paul and interviews with Mr. Martel, Mr. Bowles and Mr. Middlebrook
	10:40 AM	-	Photo opportunity with dignitaries and ship
	10:45 AM	-	Arrival of media who do not want to attend ship tour
	11:00 AM	-	Official ceremony with speeches and presentation to ship's Captain
	12:00 PM	-	Light lunch.
IMPORTANT:	All media touring the ship will need to get their accreditation to access the site no later than March 19 at 5 PM. Please contact Julia Fields to RSVP (see above).  Please wear flat shoes and comfortable attire for ship tour.

About the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC)

The SLSMC is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic through the Canadian Seaway facilities, which consists of 13 of the 15 locks between Montreal and Lake Erie. The Corporation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the waterway remains a safe and well-managed system, which it shares with its American counterpart, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

A recently published economic impact study, commissioned by Marine Delivers, demonstrates the significant role that the Great Lakes / Seaway system plays in supporting the Canadian and U.S. economies.  Some 227,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported by the movement of goods within the Great Lakes / Seaway waterway. For more information on the Seaway, including access to the full text of the economic impact study, please consult the www.greatlakes-seaway.com website.

SOURCE: The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

FOR ACCREDITATION AND TO RSVP:
Julia Fields
Marine Delivers
613 233-8779 ext. 3
[email protected]