Corporate Overview

CSL is a Canadian based company headquartered in Montreal and has affiliated offices in Halifax, Winnipeg, Burlington (Canada), Boston (USA), Singapore and Sydney (Australia). The company specializes in the operation of self-unloading bulk carriers with inland and deep sea trading capabilities that offer shippers versatility and reliability. It employs approximately 1,000 people of which, more than 500 are employed in its various Canadian operations.

The Canada Steamship Lines division, based in Montreal, owns and operates a fleet of 19 Canadian flag vessels (11 self-unloaders and 8 bulk carriers) that trade on the Great Lakes – St-Lawrence Seaway system. These ships are fully crewed by Canadian seafarers. A new building program from 1999 to 2004 gave CSL the most modern fleet of self-unloading ships on the Great Lakes. In 2008, CSL purchased 4 seaway size bulk carriers to augment the bulker fleet.

CSL International, based in Beverly, MA, in the greater Boston area, manages the international shipping interests of CSL. The company manages a pool of 28 ocean-going self-unloading vessels, 11 of which are wholly owned, ranging in size from handysize to Panamax.

CSL Australia,based in Sydney, Australia, was founded in 1999 with the acquisition of 2 self-unloading bulk carriers from Australian National Lines. Since then, the operation has grown steadily and it now operates 8 self-unloaders and a three vessel iron ore transshipment facility in South Australia.

CSL Asia, based in Singapore, manages CSL’s Asian business. The company manages the operation of one self-unloader and of two coal transshipment platforms in Indonesia.

CSL’s commitment to safety, security and the environment has been enhanced by its partnership with The V.Ships Group, for the management of both the canadian and international fleets. V.Ships contributes world-class technical ship management, training and innovative industry practices that benefit all aspects of vessel management.

While new partnerships, fleet investment projects, employee training programs and innovations through technology all reflect the pioneering spirit of CSL, they also help define its commitment to safely and reliably carry our customer’s cargo on the great lakes-St. Lawrence Waterway and around the globe.