About ship OPERATORS
A united path, political weight, and tangible benefits
Our mission and vision
To represent and promote the interests of shipowners to support the growth and development of domestic maritime transport on the waterways of the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, the Arctic to the Atlantic Ocean.
To be an innovative and eco-responsible leader in the development of domestic maritime transport.
Our values
Responsible leadership
We provide collaborative and forward-thinking leadership to help build a strong, modern maritime industry that is aligned with economic, environmental, and societal priorities.
Collaboration and consultation
We believe the strongest solutions are built through collaboration, consultation, and the sharing of expertise among supply chain stakeholders, public decision-makers, and industry partners.
Expertise and rigor
We draw on the expertise of our members and a deep understanding of the industry to inform decisions and promote effective policies.
Economic impact
We support the development of efficient maritime transport that contributes to the prosperity of communities, the competitiveness of businesses and the resilience of supply chains.
Our story
Since 1936, the St. Lawrence Shipowners have evolved in step with the river, keeping pace with the economic, technological, and environmental transformations that shape maritime transport. Our story is that of an industry built on collaboration, expertise, and a shared commitment to advancing domestic shipping in Canada.
On December 4, 1936, 18 owner-captains met in Montreal with a simple yet decisive conviction: together, we are stronger. These pioneers laid the foundations for an organization dedicated to representing and defending the interests of the Canadian merchant marine, convinced that collective strength allows them to better navigate the challenges ahead.
Over the decades, the maritime industry has adapted to major historical turning points. It contributed to the war effort, embraced the container revolution, supported the opening of winter navigation on the St. Lawrence River, and continued to evolve thanks to the innovation and expertise of its stakeholders. Day after day, our industry's ships transport resources essential to the country's economic vitality, facilitate the mobility of people, and contribute to community development.
Over the past few years, the St. Lawrence Shipowners Association has continued to grow and strengthen its role as a strategic partner to governments, economic organizations, and supply chain stakeholders. We have a collective strength that allows us to advance our industry's priorities and support the development of efficient, innovative, and sustainable maritime transport.
Today, domestic maritime transport plays a strategic role in securing supply chains, the energy transition, and the sustainable use of the land. The St. Lawrence–Great Lakes corridor is a major asset for the Quebec and Canadian economies, and our industry possesses the expertise needed to actively contribute to its development.
Proud of our journey, we continue our commitment with the desire to actively contribute to the prosperity of Canada and Quebec. The coming years call for us to modernize our practices, invest in training the next generation, strengthen our infrastructure, and accelerate the transition to more sustainable solutions.