Potash Leads the Way as Marine Shipping in 2024 Maintains Consistency
As the 2024 marine shipping season on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway progresses, statistics show that movements of potash (an agricultural fertilizer) remain up for 2024 when compared to the same period (i.e. March to June) last year. Specifically, potash traffic was up 281,000 tonnes, for a total of approximately 506,000 tonnes moved to date.
Key members of the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) include Fertilizer Canada and several of its members. Fertilizer Canada represents producers, manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers, which collectively play an essential role in Canada’s economy, contributing over $42 billion annually and employing 100,400 workers throughout the supply chain.
As the foundation of Canada’s agri-food sector, the association and its members are playing a key role in driving the economy and supporting food security.
“Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash, representing 38 per cent of global production. We export 95 per cent of our potash to over 75 countries,” says Karen Proud, President and CEO, Fertilizer Canada. “Farmers rely on Canadian fertilizer to grow healthy, hearty crops, and our industry relies on Canada’s supply chains to get our products to farmers worldwide. In recent years, Canada has increased potash production to offset the decreased output from Russia and Belarus due to sanctions and restrictions, and supply chain partners in the St. Lawrence Seaway play an important role in getting our products to international markets. Reliability in Canada’s supply chains is paramount to ensuring that farmers receive the fertilizers they need in a timely manner.”
“Looking at the volumes of vital materials moving across the continent, and all the benefits that result, we see how marine shipping and its partners move what matters to maintain a strong economy, job market, and quality of life,” noted Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.
“With respect to marine shipping specifically, almost 360,000 jobs and more than $66 Billion in economic activity are supported by our industry annually, and our members and partner associations make similar and substantial contributions. We are about to enter the busiest time of the marine shipping season, and CMC members across the supply chain are standing together to deliver for businesses and customers at home and all over the world – living up to our responsibility to deliver as consistently as ever, and expecting our partners in government and elsewhere to support us in doing so.”
Chamber of Marine Commerce
Victory Cruise Lines returning to the lakes in 2025 with Victory l and Victory ll
NEW ALBANY, IN – It’s a victory lap for cruise industry veteran John Waggoner, who’s bringing two ships back to Great Lakes itineraries in 2025 with ports including Toronto and Montreal.
Waggoner, who founded American Queen Voyages (AQV), bought Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator from auction in early 2024 after the ships were put up for sale in the wake of AQV’s bankruptcy proceedings. AQV had acquired Victory Cruise Lines in 2019.
AQV sold Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager in June 2023. And then everything came to a halt in February 2024 when Hornblower announced bankruptcy proceedings for AQV and the immediate end of its cruises.
The two vessels will revert back to their Victory Cruise Lines names Victory I and Victory II.
Victory Cruise Lines is focused on all-inclusive, small ship cruising. Reservations for the 2025 inaugural season are now open.
Comprised of the 190-guest Victory I and Victory II, these ships were purpose-built in Jacksonville, FL, to cruise on all five Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the French-Canadian Maritimes.
The size and maneuverability of these ships are perfectly suited for coastal cruising in this region, says Waggoner. Cruising connoisseurs can celebrate the christening celebrations of Victory I in Toronto on April 27 and Victory II at Chicago’s Navy Pier on May 12.
“As long-time enthusiasts of maritime adventures, my wife Claudette and I are thrilled for the team to open reservations of the inaugural season and we prepare to sail these magnificent waters,” says Waggoner, Victory Cruise Lines Chairman and founder. “Our cruise experience will offer many special touches, including being the only cruise line to dock at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and most of all, our ships will be a home away from home exploring all five Great Lakes.”
Victory Cruise Lines will mark the inaugural season with a special New England & Canada 2025 Reunion Cruise Portland to Toronto departing April 16, 2025.
Hosted by the Waggoners, the 10-night cruise through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes will reunite friends from past voyages featuring notable guest entertainers, Phil Westbrook, and Greg and Lindy Pendzick.
Waggoner notes that Victory Cruise Lines is the only coastal cruising product on the Great Lakes that docks at Navy Pier in Chicago.
Victory Cruise Lines will offer 36 voyages on the Great Lakes in a single season, and the most coastal cruises in a single season that hit all 5 Great Lakes in one cruise, 33 voyages. Details at https://www.greatlakescruises.com/victory-cruise-lines.html.
Travelweek
