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July 8, 2010

Ocean carriers increase Montreal rates due to low water levels

Ocean container lines using the Port of Montreal have announced rate increases based on the lower water level in the St. Lawrence river this summer.

The levels are well below historic lows due to reduced snowfall during last winter and an unseasonably warm and dry spring.

The latest official forecasts do not indicate any improvement and many expect that the situation will most likely continue, or even deteriorate, in the next months.

Carriers say the rate increases are to offset the fact that ships have to lighten their loads, hence carry less freight, in order to reduce draft to sail to Montreal on lower than usual water level.