2009 marks 50 years since the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. This massive construction project permitted international vessels access to the Great Lakes. It also ushered in a host of environmental problems and precipitated one of the worst ecological crises to hit the region: a proliferation of aquatic invasive species.

The environmental toll wrought by the opening of the Seaway belies the claims of environmental friendliness offered by the maritime industry. In light of the environmental legacy of shipping on the Great Lakes, it is time to rethink both the Seaway and the industry as a whole, to ensure ‘sustainability’ is  a reality not a platitude.

Despite examples of good environmental performance, overall, the shipping industry is paddling against the tide of public support for cleaning up and restoring the health of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Citizens and governments recognize that economic revitalization of a struggling region depends on the health of our freshwater ecosystem. Our region has just adopted a water resources management Compact and Agreement that is a global model for sustainable water use, and is now investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the restoration of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. In the face of this progress, the shipping industry risks undermining these efforts by bringing in and spreading new invaders, dredging fragile rivers to make deeper channels, and dumping cargo residues overboard. The industry has a critical choice to make: it can continue practices that make problems worse and solutions more costly, or it can turn the corner, modernize itself, and work alongside those trying to restore the lakes and revitalize the economy.

Achieving the principles outlined in this document requires a diversity of approaches, from voluntary actions, regulatory reform and legal action, to grassroots advocacy. Industry-led initiatives can play a significant role; for example, the Green Marine Initiative1 is an opportunity for the industry to meet meaningful environmental benchmarks, above and beyond government requirements.

Here, seven principles chart a truly sustainable future for the St. Lawrence Seaway and the shipping industry as a whole. These principles outline the basis of how commercial navigation can benefit the people and economies of the Great Lakes region, ensure its own viability, and become a true steward for this spectacular, yet fragile, natural wonder. The Seaway and shipping industry is at the headwaters of a challenging and exciting future. The decisions they make today will set a legacy that lasts well beyond the next 50 years.