The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced an extended closing date for the 2023 navigation season. The Montreal-Lake Ontario section is projected to close on January 5, 2024, and the Welland Canal section on January 7, 2024. This extension is aimed at compensating for the impact of an eight-day strike in October that disrupted traffic and prevented over 100 vessels from transiting the seaway. The longer season provides an opportunity for shipping lines to potentially add an extra trip to their sailing schedules. The extended closing date aims to help recover lost time and support the economy affected by the disruption.