MASSENA -- Canadian ship owners on the St. Lawrence Seaway say they are navigating waters safely below the power dam at Massena even with increased outflows.

The Canadian shippers’ organization the Chamber of Marine Commerce, on behalf of its shipowner members, will continue to work closely with The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation to support the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board’s decision yesterday to continue flow rates from the Moses-Saunders dam at 10,400 cubic metres per second.

“Following several days of continuous feedback, ship captains have consistently reported that they have been able to safely navigate and manage the currents from the increased outflow levels,” a press release from the CMC Tuesday said.

Ship operators are following additional mitigation measures put in place by the St. Lawrence Seaway, including reduced speed limits and alternating one-way traffic in certain areas. A tug is also stationed at the Iroquois Lock for assistance if required, the statement said.

“We have had positive feedback from ship captains thus far that water conditions are safe and manageable,” said Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows. “Mariners will continue to regularly report back on conditions. Safety of ship crews and the public are the top priority,” he said.

“We believe this compromise solution will provide relief for upstream waterfront property owners while still allowing commercial navigation to safely operate,” Burrows said. “The water outflow exceeds what was accomplished in 1993 when shipping was halted on an alternating ‘stop and go’ basis.”

The Seaway is a crucial component of the integrated transportation system that moves goods throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River region and part of a bi-national shipping economy that generates $35B of economic activity, including 227,000 jobs. Every day, the cargo moving on the Seaway alone produces more than $50 million worth of economic activity in Canada and the U.S., the chamber said.