St. Lawrence Seaway freezes tolls

St. Lawrence Seaway freezes tolls

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. (SLSMC) has announced a three-year toll freeze and revised tariff structure that it predicts “will provide a significant boost to new business growth.”

   “With the goal of maximizing the volume of existing commodities, while at the same time attracting new cargoes to the Seaway/Great Lakes System, the new tolls structure underscores the commitment of the SLSMC and Transport Canada to increased use of the Seaway,” the corporation said.

   “By maintaining stable rates through the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons and by introducing targeted incentives, we are setting the stage for our stakeholders to aggressively seek new business in an era of escalating costs, and to advance their business plans with a greater degree of certainty” said Dick Corfe, SLSMC president and chief executive officer.

   The SLSMC announced these initiatives aimed at boosting traffic:

   ' A new “business incentive program” that allows for a 20 percent discount on cargo tolls over the course of three years for commodity/origin/destination combinations approved by the corporation as “new business.” To be eligible, a carrier will have to submit to the SLSMC an application for the proposed cargo/origin/destination combination. Notably, all containerized cargo movements are eligible for the discount, from 2008 to 2012.

   ' A “volume rebate incentive program” targeted at shippers. It will offer a 10 percent reduction on cargo tolls applicable to incremental volumes meeting a set of criteria. It is designed to stimulate movement of the Seaway’s traditional staple cargoes. Applicable criteria can be found within the full 2008 Schedule of Tolls.

   ' A program to encourage smaller cargo vessels and shipments to come into the system. Welland Canal lockage fees have been restructured, with a net benefit applicable to all vessels. The fixed charges per lock transit have been replaced with charges proportional to a vessel’s gross register tonnage. The corporation said the change will benefit small and medium sized vessels. Larger vessels will benefit from a cap placed on the maximum charge per vessel.

   ' A bid to promote short sea shipping within the Seaway/Great Lakes System. The corporation said the definition of domestic cargo now includes all movements between any combination of Canadian and American points within the Seaway/Great Lakes System. It said this would allow these intra-system movements to be subject to advantageous bulk rates.