Deeper Discounts on Seaway Tolls with Service Incentive

February 14, 2011

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) announced today the launch of the new Service Incentive Program. Commencing for the 2011 navigation season, the program is directed at carriers calling the Great Lakes Region and potential service providers looking to expand their scheduled services.

The objective of the Service Incentive Program is to assist carriers in developing or expanding liner or semi-liner services between the Great Lakes and global markets. The Service Incentive, combined with the New Business Incentive, will provide a total savings of 40% on tolls and assist in the development of new export traffic and cargoes.

“Over the last few years we have witnessed the success of our New Business Incentive.  This reinforces the need to continue to promote the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System (GLSLSS) by continuing to offer incentives that will highlight the benefits of the system and provide motivation to utilize the Continental Gateway Corridor” said Bruce Hodgson, Director of Market Development for SLSMC. According to Hodgson “it is difficult for traffic volumes to build unless there is an established service; the Service Incentive Program is an additional resource to assist with the growth of cargoes and services within the GLSLSS”.

The New Business Incentive, which launched in 2008, will continue to be applicable to import and export cargoes that qualify. As well, the Volume Incentive Program will remain effective. In addition, the SLSMC announced last month that there will not be a toll increase in 2011.

To determine eligibility, details and applications concerning the Service Incentive Program and other incentive programs are available on the SLSMC and HWY H2O websites. To assist our customers in qualifying for these incentives, the SLSMC will continue to answer inquiries at the [email protected] email address.

For further details, please consult www.greatlakes-seaway.com or www.hwyh2o.com Web sites.