The events celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway are scheduled for July 9-12 in Massena, New York.  What better time to quickly review the SLSDC highlights of a half century of operations, policy decisions, traffic tonnage, and technology efforts?  Here’s our pick of the Top 10 events on the Seaway Hit Parade. 

•     Canada and the U.S. Agree to Build the Seaway.  In 1954, the U.S. and Canada, through an exchange of diplomatic notes, agree to jointly construct and manage the Seaway.  This joint transportation undertaking marks a binational partnership that is unique in the world, given the size and scope of the project.

•     Opening Day Ceremony June 26, 1959.  Millions of viewers worldwide saw Queen Elizabeth II, U.S. President Eisenhower, and Canadian Prime Minister Diefenbaker in Montréal, Canada, officially open the Seaway– and North America’s heartland--to deepdraft, international maritime traffic. 

•     Emergency Response Program (ERP).  In 1976, the Seaway became one of the first international waterways to develop a comprehensive, binational ERP.  Every year, the Seaway’s ERP brings together over 40 Canadian and U.S. federal, provincial, state, and local entities to protect the waterway’s environmental integrity.  Since 1976, the U.S. and Canadian Seaway entities have made full funding for ERP equipment and training a top priority.

•     Cargo Milestones Reached.  On June 1, 1983, the Seaway moves its one billionth metric ton of cargo (grain).  In 1996, the two billionth ton of cargo (iron ore) transits through the Seaway on May 10.  By the end of 2008 navigation season, the Seaway has moved more than 2.5 billion metric tons of cargo valued in excess of $375 billion. 

•     Enhanced Seaway Inspection (ESI) Program.  Enacted in 1997, the ESI is a ground-breaking international collaboration between Canada and the U.S. to inspect all ocean vessels in Montréal before they enter the Seaway.  The ESI program has improved the inspection, enforcement, and compliance process for safety and environmental regulations, while saving Seaway users time and money.

•     Seaway Recognized as a Top Public Works Project.  On March 23, 2001, the American Public Works Association recognizes the Seaway Project as one of North America’s top ten public works projects of the 20th century.

•     Automatic Identification System (AIS).  In 2002, after a decade of research and development, the Seaway introduced the AIS into its vessel traffic management system.  This marine GPS-based technology permits instantaneous ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-ship communications and revolutionized vessel traffic control.  The Seaway was the first major inland waterway in the world to require its customers to use AIS technology, which has since become the world standard.