Tugboats Work to Free Grounded Cargo Ship Blocking Traffic in St. Lawrence Seaway

August 24, 2024 TruthUSA

A 138-metre cargo ship that was stuck and blocking traffic in the St. Lawrence Seaway near Montreal has been freed. Fisheries and Oceans Canada reported that two tugboats successfully towed the Dutch ship Heemskerkgracht to safety earlier today.

The ship ran aground late Thursday in the Kahnawake area after an engine problem, which led to the suspension of navigation in the South Shore Canal. Fortunately, there were no reports of pollution leakage or injuries.

According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, ship traffic is now resuming, but it may take up to three days to return to normal. Jean Aubry-Morin, a spokesman for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, mentioned that the blockage occurred at a critical time as the need for ship transport of goods is high due to a work stoppage on Canada’s two major railways.