SLSMC announces appointment of a new President and CEO

On 10 June, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation’s (SLSMC) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Demetrios (Jim) Athanasiou as the Corporation’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective 12 July 2024.

Athanasiou replaces Terence F. Bowles, who is retiring as the longest serving Seaway President, having taken over this role in November 2010. Prior to joining the SLSMC, Bowles was President and CEO of the Iron Ore Company of Canada and worked for many years with QIT Fer et Titane du Quebec.

Paul Gourdeau, Chair of the Board of Directors commented on behalf of the Board: “We have been very fortunate to have Terry Bowles as our President and CEO for the last 14 years. Under his leadership, SLSMC has delivered excellent operational results, implemented impressive modernization and innovation initiatives and developed a strong Seaway team, which is well placed to continue serving its stakeholders and contributing remote operations. This was the most significant change to the operation of the Seaway since its opening in 1959, and has resulted in improved safety and efficiency for SLSMC employees, as well as for vessels transiting the system. We wish to thank him for these achievements.” to the Canadian and US economies. Of note, the SLSMC received the OECD International Transport Forum Promising Transport Innovation Award for the development of its hands free-mooring and

Athanasiou, joined the SLSMC in 2008 as Corporate Mechanical Engineering Manager. He followed this with everincreasing responsibility, including as VicePresident Engineering and Technology and the recent renewal of a 20-year Management, Operation and Maintenance Agreement between the SLSMC and the Federal Government.

Athanasiou.

Gourdeau further commented: “We are pleased to name Jim Athanasiou as the next President and CEO. Jim brings with him extensive Seaway knowledge, and his broad SLSMC portfolio has allowed him to touch on every aspect of the organization.

“We are also convinced that Jim’s strong leadership skills and vision will benefit him as he takes on the challenges of his new role.”

Great Lakes Seaway announces port winners of 2023 Season ‘Pacesetter Award’

Earlier this month (August), the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) announced that two US ports in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System received the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for increases in international cargo tonnage shipped through its ports during the 2023 navigation season.

“Great Lakes ports play a key role in moving goods through our nation’s supply chains and lowering costs for consumers, as I recently saw firsthand with visits to ports in Menominee, Manitowoc, and Milwaukee,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This year’s winners reflect the vital importance of these ports and are a credit to the skill and dedication of workers who do so much for our freight systems.”

More than 241,000 jobs and $35 billion in economic activity are supported annually by movement of various cargoes on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System. The two ports earning the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for 2023 are the Illinois International Port District (Chicago, Ill.) and the Port of Green Bay (Wis.).

“Congratulations to the two Great Lakes ports being recognized as GLS

Pacesetter Award recipients for their achievements during the 2023 Seaway navigation season,” said GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht. “Their sustained high performance is a testament to the hard work and resilience of countless, dedicated Great Lakes port professionals. Their leadership and commitment have kept the North American maritime economy thriving, reflecting the dedication and vision across the Great Lakes region.”

The Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award was established in 1992 to recognize the achievements of US ports whose activities result in increasing international tonnage shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway, in comparison with the previous year. The Pacesetter Award name was officially changed in 2001 to posthumously honour the noteworthy career of GLS Logistics Director Robert J. Lewis, who was instrumental in developing and implementing the GLS’s trade development programme.