Our story

Over 175 years of shipping history

CSL’s humble beginnings can be traced back to 1845 and a paddle steamer on the Richelieu River. But it was the 1913 merger of 11 inland shipping companies that formed the beginnings of CSL as we know it today. It can be said that this historic merger changed the Canadian shipping landscape forever.

Today, CSL manages the world’s largest fleet of self-unloading vessels and owns and operates a highly diversified fleet of bulk carriers and off-shore transhippers.

Take a trip through time and discover more than 175 years of CSL’s history.

1845

LA COMPAGNIE DU RICHELIEU

In 1845, Jacques Sincennes creates La Compagnie du Richelieu, consisting of one paddle steamer and a towed barge to help farmers get their goods up the Richelieu River and along the St. Lawrence River to market in Montreal. The Richelieu River links Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River. Sincennes’ company evolves into the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company, the foundation of what would eventually become Canada Steamship Lines. Inland shipping ventures such as Sincennes’ grow and multiply over the next 68 years in a very fragmented way, with each serving a particular route and little overlap or coordination of services.

The Chippewa, launched in 1893

1913

CSL INCORPORATES

Extraordinary population growth in Canada and the country’s expansion westward lead to a need for a more coordinated, national approach to moving people and goods. In response, a young, relatively inexperienced Canadian, Grant Morden and his associate, James Playfair spearhead the merger of 11 shipping companies to create Canada Steamship Lines on June 17st, 1913.

Official copy of the letters patent which incorporated Canada Transportation Lines (later renamed Canada Steamship Lines) on June 17th, 1913

1914-1918

CSL'S SHIPS IN THE GREAT WAR

A number of CSL’s 81 ships leave Canadian waters to head overseas – for the first time – during World War I. The vessels are used to transport grain, soldiers, munitions, and other cargo. Twelve CSL ships are lost, along with many lives, in wartime service.

The Dundee was sunk by U 55 off the north shore of Cornwall, England on January 31st, 1917

1918-1922

WILLIAM COVERDALE TAKES OVER A STRUGGLING CSL

Growing debt, unpaid dividends, plunging grain prices and overvalued ships threaten to put CSL out of business. Renowned corporate troubleshooter and Canadian ex-patriot William Coverdale is appointed by New York underwriters to temporarily take over CSL. A principal of a New York firm of consulting engineers and specializing in saving foundering railway and shipping companies, Coverdale becomes President in 1922 and stays 27 years.

The grain trade was a major source of income for CSL. It was carried from the Western tip of Lake Superior to Montreal by ships and trains

1920’s

CSL INTRODUCES ITS "CITY" SHIPS

In the mid 1920s CSL builds five “City” boats to carry package freight more efficiently. In 1924, as part of the Century Coal Company owned by CSL, the Collier, joins CSL to efficiently move bulk cargos without depending on dock cranes. Two new types of ships appear during the late twenties: self-unloaders in several guises – the Coalhaven, Collier and Glenelf – and a motor ship – the Grainmotor. While the Coalhaven is not the first CSL self-unloader, it the first recognizable prototype of all later self-unloaders CSL would eventually develop and own. After the "Collier" the Coalhaven represents a turn in the right direction for the technology.

1920-1930

THE PASSENGER FLEET'S HEYDAY

CSL’s passenger business reaches a peak, with travelers from around the world flocking to Canada to enjoy its scenery, elegant cruise ships and grand, turn-of-the-century hotels, such as the Manoir Richelieu and the Hotel Tadoussac. Given the lack of passenger airplanes in this era, river cruises are an enjoyable way to travel.

1927

CSL PROSPERS UNDER COVERDALE

Coverdale puts CSL back in the black by reorganizing the company and buying and selling assets. He tells employees: “Today, Canada Steamship Lines and its employees make no apologies, old methods have given place to new; we can look the whole world in the face gratified with what we have done to date, hopeful and confident of what we shall do in the future.”

William H. Coverdale (1871-1949). © BAnQ

1928

THE MANOIR RICHELIEU: A TOTAL LOSS BY FIRE

Coverdale responds quickly by building a new hotel in mid-winter. On June 15th, 1929, Manoir Richelieu opened its doors to the public. Jobs were saved and a fleet of ships dedicated to delivering guests to the hotel stayed in operation.

The new Manoir Richelieu, built after the original building was destroyed by fire in 1928

1929

THE GREAT DEPRESSION

The Great Depression hits and CSL is not exempt. In 1932, CSL still has the largest fleet on the Great Lakes, but many of the ships are laid up.

The Donald Stewart is the only vessel that CSL launched during the Depression

1939-1945

CSL SHIPS SUPPORT THE ALLIES

During the Quebec Conference, a highly secret military meeting is held in Quebec City between the British, Canadian and United States governments. CSL’s SS Tadoussac transports all attending senior officers, including Britain’s Lord Louis Mountbatten and U.S. Gen. George Marshall.
World War II ends with CSL back in the black. The company has lost five Lakes ships to enemy action: the Magog, the Waterloo, the Lennox, the Donal Stewart and the Norfolk. The end of the war also ushers in a quicker pace to life, all but ending the era of leisurely river cruises. With better highways and more affordable cars, people can travel from place to place faster than ever before. After the war, responding to massive industrialization and the growth of the steel industry and related need to transport iron ore, Sir James Dunn, owner of Algoma Steel, buys control of CSL to assure supplies.

Donald Stewart is one of five CSL ships lost during World War II

1947

CSL PURCHASES FIVE SHIPYARDS IN ONTARIO AND QUEBEC

CSL adds to the shipyard interests it has maintained since the 1920s with the acquisition of four Ontario shipyards located in Port Arthur, Midland, Collingwood and Kingston. The Davie Shipyard in Quebec City already features among CSL’s shipyard assets.

1949

LOSS OF THE NORONIC

The tragic loss of the celebrated passenger ship Noronic leads CSL to place an emphasis on bulk trades.

The Noronic was built in 1913 and was one of the ships CSL acquired when it merged with Northern Navigation Company

1950’s

THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY OPENS

This era sees great advances in ship design and building, and the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a joint Canadian-U.S. effort and the world’s largest seaway since the building of the Panama Canal. This new network of locks and canals sets the stage for CSL’s re-entry into ocean shipping, allowing ocean-going ships to sail unhindered from Thunder Bay to the Atlantic and beyond. CSL’s SS Simcoe is the first ship to pass through the canals of the Seaway.

CSL's Simcoe was the first ship to pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway

1951-1966

CSL HIRES T.R. MCLAGAN TO RUN THE COMPANY

A new head of CSL, Rodgie McLagan, revamps the company, introducing professional, centralized management, and hires naval architect Richard Lowery, who becomes famous for his innovations in naval efficiency. Lowery is also a key player in negotiating with the government to create tax incentives for shipbuilding. This allows companies with large taxable income to invest in new ships as a tax write-off. This tax incentive endures until the late 1960s.

1965

FOCUS ON CARGO SHIPPING

CSL winds up its celebrated passenger service to focus on the more lucrative cargo transport business. The company is among the last owners of passenger steamers in North America’s inland waters.

The Rimouski, launched in 1965

1975

POWER CORPORATION TAKES CONTROL OF CSL

Power Corporation becomes full owner of CSL, the first time CSL is privately owned since the merger of its precursor company.

1981

PAUL MARTIN AND LAURENCE PATHY PURCHASE CSL

CSL President and future Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin and his friend Laurence Pathy, purchase CSL. Martin has a global vision for CSL, which involves expanding the company beyond the Great Lakes into ocean shipping.

Paul Martin leads CSL from 1981 until 1991

1980-1984

CSL GOES GLOBAL

Paul Martin's global vision for CSL involves expanding the company beyond the Great Lakes into ocean shipping. A leader in self-unloader technology, CSL understands the capability of these vessels to eliminate the need for conventional dock infrastructure, a clear economic advantage. CSL starts building ocean-going Handy class ships and goes international. Its first international customers are National Gypsum and Portline of Lisbon.

The CSL Cabo unloads gypsum into a barge alongside

1986-1990

CSL FOCUSES ON ITS SHIPPING INTERESTS

CSL disposes of its interests in its trucking business and merges its shipyard interests. CSL also sells its inter-city bus operation in the province of Quebec.

The Voyageur-Colonial bus lines were owned by CSL

1988

PAUL MARTIN, SOLE OWNER OF CSL

In 1988, Paul Martin becomes the sole owner of CSL. The company’s legacy bus, shipyard and real estate interests are transferred to a new entity equally-owned by the Martin and Pathy families.

Paul Martin

1989

CSL ADDS ITS FIRST PANAMAX SHIP TO ITS FLEET

The CSL Innovator is CSL’s first Panamax self-unloading ocean-going vessel – a ship originally named Pacific Peace that is converted in Brazil. The CSL Innovator is followed by a newbuild Panamax, the CSL Atlas.

The CSL Innovator is the first of many Panamax ships owned by CSL

1991-1994

CSL IS REORGANIZED

The shipping industry feels the effects of the recession of the early 1990s. Owner Paul Martin, now an Opposition Member of Parliament, asks Tony Chesterman to become the Chairman of the CSL Board and develop a plan to stabilize the company during these difficult economic times. Tony Chesterman cuts costs, arranges mergers and pools and sells assets – including the bulker business – and completely revamps the corporate culture, from a top-down management style to a team approach. All this is done in less than two years. CSL eventually returns to the bulker business in 2002.

Tony Chesterman (seated) and Sam Hayes, who became president and CEO of CSL in 1995

1992

FOUNDATION OF CSL AMERICAS

CSL decides to focus its non-Canadian flag business through a separate office based in Beverly, Massachusetts. Rod Jones becomes the first President of CSL International, today known as CSL Americas. Initially servicing the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the division would eventually expand to operate throughout the Americas.

Transhipper CSL Metis, CSL Americas fleet. Built in 1981, rebuilt with new forebody in 2007

1993

PARTNERSHIP WITH EGON OLDENDORFF

CSL launches a shipping pool with German operator Egon Oldendorff to maximize customer service. CSL sells the CSL Innovator to Oldenforff who operates the vessel as part of the CSL-managed pool.

The transhipper Harmen Oldendorff is part of the CSL Americas managed pool

1994

FOUNDATION OF CSL ASIA

CSL opens an office in Singapore to promote self-unloader and transhipment trades in Southeast Asia. This office is known as CSL Asia.

CSL Asia's FOTP Derawan operating in Indonesia

1995

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Tony Chesterman retires as CEO. He is succeeded by Sam Hayes, another key player in the recovery. Mr. Hayes is President of CSL until his retirement in 2008.

1996

EXPANDING THE CSL INTERNATIONAL POOL

CSL and Egon Oldendorff order four newbuild self-unloading Panamax vessels from Jiangnan Shipyard in China. These new vessels significantly solidify the ability of the CSL International Pool to serve its customer base.

1996-1997

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

CSL forms a joint venture with two Indonesian partners to service Java Power, a coal-fired power station in Indonesia. Three geared bulk ships are built in Japan to serve this operation. This business venture is sold in 2008.

1999

A YEAR OF FIRSTS

CSL purchases two vessels from Australian National Lines’ (ANL) bulk division – the CSL Pacific and the Stadacona. CSL Australia is created to service bulk cabotage trades within Australia.
Today, CSL Australia operates 12 vessels and is the largest bulk operator in Australian trades.
CSL purchases 50% of Marbulk, which was servicing a fleet of self-unloaders in the Americas, and grows the CSL International Pool. Marbulk joins the CSL International Pool and becomes a partner with CSL and Oldendorff. CSL invests heavily in a renewal program of its aging Lakes fleet. Three new forebodies are constructed and joined to aft ends of existing ships – a CSL innovation. Today, Canada Steamship Lines proudly operates the CSL Niagara, the CSL Assiniboine, the CSL Laurentien and the Rt. Hon. Paul J. Martin – all Laker forebodies. CSL orders the SST Berau for its Indonesian operations, the company’s first purpose-built transhipper. The SST Berau is followed by the introduction of the FOTP Derawan in 2008. Today, CSL remains at the forefront of belt transhipment technology.

The CSL Niagara was originally called the J. W. McGiffin. In 1999, a new forebody (front-end) was attached to the middle and aft-end of the J. W. McGiffin and the CSL Niagara was born

2003

MORE GROWTH ON THE HORIZON

Norwegian shipping operator Klaveness enters its self-unloaders into the CSL International Pool. Paul Martin transfers his interests in CSL to his three sons – Paul Jr., David and James.

2004

CSL BUILDS NEW OCEAN-GOING FOREBODIES

Having successfully developed the forebodies for its Laker fleet, CSL builds three new ocean-going forebodies in China and audaciously joins them to aft-ends of tanker vessels. The CSL Acadian becomes the first Panamax forebody of the CSL Americas fleet followed by the CSL Argosy and CSL Metis.

CSL Argosy on sea trials

2008

ROD JONES TAKES THE HELM OF CSL AS CEO

Sam Hayes retires and Rod Jones becomes CEO, a role he will occupy until 2016. During his three decades at CSL, Mr. Jones worked to transform the Great Lakes-focused shipping business into the largest owner and operator of self-unloading ships in the world. Under his leadership, CSL expanded beyond Canada and the Americas to Australia, Asia and Europe. 

2008

CSL AUSTRALIA'S FLEET GROWS

CSL Australia concludes a long-term agreement with Arrium (formerly One Steel) for the transhipment of iron ore in Whyalla, Australia. To service this important customer, CSL orders two gravity transhipment shuttle vessels, the Barngarla and the Middleback, and the Spencer Gulf transhipment platform.

The Spencer Gulf transhipment platform, operating in Australia

2010

THE BIRTH OF TRILLIUM CLASS VESSELS

CSL makes a major investment in its fleet renewal program with the order of seven newbuild self-unloaders – four Lakers and three Panamax vessels. The decision is a reflection of CSL’s corporate commitments to environmental sustainability and continually improving its service to customers. CSL engages Naval Architect Gary Cooke and Deltamarin to design leading-edge vessels that will set new standards in operational and environmental performance, energy efficiency and reliability. Chengxi Shipyard of Jiangyin, China, is selected to build the new class of vessels that will be known as the Trillium Class.

Steel Cutting Ceremony in Chengxi Shipyard of Jiangyin, China

2011

THE FOUNDATION OF CSL EUROPE

CSL acquires the belted self-unloader business of Norwegian shipper Jebsens’ to service existing European customers and to expand its world-wide network. CSL creates a new subsidiary, CSL Europe, to manage the business and establishes offices in the UK and Norway.

2012

CSL INTRODUCES THE TRILLIUM CLASS

CSL welcomes the arrival of its first new Trillium Class vessels – the Baie St. Paul, a self-unloading Laker operating in the Great Lakes-St-Lawrence Seaway, and the Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin, a self-unloading Panamax vessel. The Baie St. Paul, the first new self-unloading laker to be introduced into the Lakes since 1985, receives the International Bulk Journal’s 2012 Bulk Ship of the Year Award and is selected by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects as a Significant Ship of 2012. Moreover Canada Steamship Lines and its Trillium Class ships are honoured by the St. Lawrence Economic Development Council with the prestigious 2012 St. Lawrence Award. CSL converts the CSL Sams, a self-unloader, into a gravity transhipment shuttle vessel to serve Arrium’s iron ore operation in Whyalla, Australia. The vessel is renamed the CSL Whyalla. CSL orders two new gearless bulk vessels to serve the Great Lakes market. The two vessels are under construction at the Yangfan Shipyard in Zhejiang Province, China, and will enter service in the spring of 2014.

Rt. Hon. Paul E. Martin arriving in Port Sechelt, British Columbia

2013

CSL BREAKS INTO THE AFRICAN MARKET

The CSL Atlas begins operations in Buchanan, Liberia, transporting and transhipping iron ore for ArcelorMittal.

2014

TRILLIUM CLASS DELIVERY COMPLETED

The last Trillium Class Lakers, CSL Welland and CSL St-Laurent, are delivered marking the successful completion of CSL’s newbuild program.

2015

INTEGRATION OF SHIP MANAGEMENT

V.Ships Canada is integrated into Canada Steamship Lines’ organizational structure, consolidating ship and shore operations under one umbrella. CSL Australia also integrates ship management for its Australian-flagged fleet.

2017

“THE SEAKEEPER” – A FIRST FOR THE GREAT LAKES

Between February and March, four urban Montreal artists, Bryan Beyung, FONKi, Ankh One, and Benny Wilding paint a monumental mural on the accommodations block of the bulk carrier CSL St-Laurent. CSL commissioned the original work of art “The Seakeeper” to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s and 375th of Montreal. The mural is the first ever original work of art painted on a Great Lakes Bulker and possibly the world, and earned CSL a prestigious International Corporate Art Award for its collaboration with urban artists.

2017

CONVERSION OF MV DONNACONA

MV Donnacona undergoes a significant conversion to tailor the vessel’s capabilities to service CITIC Pacific’s Sino Iron Project, the largest magnetite mining and processing operation in Australia. The conversion includes increased self-unloading capacity, the addition of a new midship boom to allow direct loading into ocean-going vessels, new deck equipment, machinery and piping systems as well as modification and upgrades to the propulsion and manoeuvring systems.

2017

LOUIS MARTEL TAKES OVER CSL LEADERSHIP AS CEO

After Rod Jones' retirement, Louis Martel, who started his CSL career in 1997 as a Naval Architect, was appointed as the CEO. Today, Mr. Martel continues to play a pivotal role in driving innovation and positioning CSL at the forefront of the rapidly changing shipping industry.

2018

EUREKA JOINT VENTURE

CSL acquires 50 percent of SMT Shipping’s pneumatic cement vessel business, Eureka Shipping Ltd., and enters into a joint venture with SMT.

2018

JOINT VENTURE WITH HARTMANN

CSL forms a joint venture with Hartmann Schiffsbeteiligungen GmbH & Co. KG to build and operate two 40,000 DWT gravity self-unloading vessels to trade in Europe.

2019

CONVERSION PROGRAM DELIVERS THREE PNEUMATIC CEMENT CARRIERS

CSL’s conversion program delivers the last of three high-performing pneumatic self-unloading cement carriers. Under the new names Kondili, Akuna and Wyuna, the new vessels operate as part of the CSL Australia fleet.

2019

BIOFUEL TRIAL BEGINS

On August 2019, CSL runs its first test of a marine biofuel made of 50% bio-content made from waste agricultural products. on the 36,920 DWT self-unloading bulk carrier Atlantic Huron. The test shows promising results as a transition fuel towards decarbonization.

2020

ADJUSTING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

CSL develops and activates a comprehensive COVID-19 contingency plan to protect people throughout the pandemic and ensure the continuity of services to customers. The plan includes restricted access to ships to essential people only, pre-boarding screening procedures for crew members and anyone boarding a vessel, and strict hygiene and social distancing protocols on board all ships. A work-from-home policy is also been implemented in CSL offices.

2020

DELIVERY OF HARTMAN JOINT VENTURE SHIPS

MV Starnes, the first of two CSL-Hartmann joint venture ships is successfully delivered on August 10, 2020. The vessel can self-discharge at a rate of 5,500 tph and is equipped with a 90.5 m boom, which is one of longest and largest ever built for a self-unloader. Her sister ship, MV Fjordnes, is delivered on June 25, 2021.

2021

CONVERTED KAMSARMAX VESSELS DELIVERED

CSL takes delivery of CSL Koasek and CSL Kajika, two converted 77,250 DWT gravity fed self-unloading ships that operate in the CSL Americas fleet. Both CSL Kajika and CSL Koasek are the result of an innovative conversion project that saw the transformation of these two former Kamsarmax bulk carriers into modern, gravity-fed self-unloaders. Each vessel is 225.30 metres in length, 32.26 in breadth, with a boom length of 80 metres.

2021

MINORITY STAKE IN EMS-TECH

CSL acquires a strategic minority stake in Canadian engineering firm EMS-Tech Inc., an industry leader in the design and supply of bulk material handling systems. The investment builds on the synergies developed between CSL and EMS-Tech over 25 years and leverage the companies’ respective strengths in delivering advanced cargo handling solutions.

2021

WORLD’S LONGEST RUNNING B100 BIOFUEL TRIALS

CSL completes the world’s longest-running trials of B100 biodiesel on marine engines, accumulating nearly 30,000 running hours. Conducted on half of CSL’s Canadian fleet, the tests result in a 23% total fleet life cycle reduction of CO2 as compared to marine gas oil (MGO). During the trials, 14,000 tonnes of MGO was substituted for 100% bio-content second-generation biofuel, requiring no modification to existing ship equipment. The test results confirm the potential of biodiesel as a realistic and immediate alternative to fossil fuel to support the decarbonization of the marine transportation sector.

2022

CUSTOM-MADE MV NUKUMI DELIVERED TO SERVICE WINDSOR SALT

MV Nukumi, a purpose-designed self-unloading ship custom-built to service Windsor Salt, arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia from her maiden voyage on March 27, 2022. The cutting-edge 26,000 DWT vessel is the first diesel-electric Laker and the first single point loader to operate in Canada. The vessel is named Bulk Ship of the Year 2022 at the International Bulk Journal (“IBJ”) Awards and a significant Ships of 2022 by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

2022

“THE RUNNERS” UNVEILED AT SEAWAY OPENING

On March 24, 2022, CSL marked the official opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway navigation season of the Welland Canal, by unveiling “The Runners”, a spectacular work of art painted on CSL Welland, a 36,364 DWT Trillium Class bulk carrier. CSL commissioned the mural, created by renowned Canadian artists Bryan Beyung, Emmanuel Jarus, Andrea Wan and K.C. Hall, to celebrate the spirit of the 2022 Canada Summer Games and the torch relay, which was sponsored by CSL.

2022

CSL ST-LAURENT CARRIES CANADA GAMES TORCH

In a historic first for CSL, the Canada Games and Great Lakes shipping, the Canada Games torch was brought on board the bulk carrier, CSL St-Laurent, on June 16, 2022. The Roly McLenahan torch was carried on board the vessel from St-Lambert lock all the way to Port Colborne, where it disembarked to continue its voyage on land.

2023

NEW ORDER FOR CSL INTERNATIONAL POOL

CSL and Algoma Central Corporation, who together form the CSL International Pool, announce a newbuild order with Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., to construct four new methanol-ready Kamsarmax-based ocean belt self-unloading vessels. These new ships will replace the Pool’s oldest vessels and become the model for its next generation of ocean self-unloaders. Delivery will begin in 2025.

CSL Ships During World War I