Skip to content

Welland Canal officially closed for the season

Nine-month long shipping season ends
ship-algoma
The Algoma Enterprise joins the ranks of the ships secured in the Welland Canal for a winter layover. Bob Liddycoat / Thorold News

The mild weather and open water extended the shipping season past its Dec. 27 scheduled closing date.

But that ended New Year’s Eve as the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway System (GLSLSS) issued the following edict:

• Irrespective of operating conditions, all vessels must be clear of the Welland Canal at 20:00 hours on December 31, 2018.

The Montreal-Lake Ontario section was also extended past its Dec. 26 schedule closing until New Year’s Eve.

The Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canal (USA) is scheduled for a Jan. 15 closure.

Seasonal maintenance, more than weather conditions, necessitate the annual closing of the Seaway.

The Seaway reports that between 2009-2013 more than $4.7 billion has been invested in ships, ports and terminals, and waterway infrastructure, while an additional $2.2 billion in capital spending has been committed for infrastructure investments in the system by companies and governments. 

The Welland Canal opened for the season with the annual Top Hat ceremony on March 29, 2018 and, although no official date has been given, it’s likely that it will reopen late in March in 2019.

See aerial video of Ship in the Welland Canal, Lock 7 Thorold, June 2018.
(Courtesy Pistol Designed)