- HOPA Ports opens the 2026 Great Lakes shipping season with the traditional Top Hat ceremony in Hamilton and Oshawa.
- MV Florence Spirit, operated by McKeil Marine, is the first vessel to arrive as McKeil celebrates 70 years in Hamilton.
- The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System is crucial for industry, trade, and safety.
HAMILTON, ON – HOPA Ports (Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority) is pleased to welcome the first vessels of the 2026 Great Lakes shipping season to the Ports of Hamilton and Oshawa, continuing a long-standing maritime tradition that signals the official opening of the navigational season.
Each year, HOPA Ports marks the occasion with the ceremonial presentation of a Top Hat to the Captain of the first arriving vessel; an honour dating back to 1947 in Hamilton.
“The arrival of our first vessels is always a meaningful milestone,” said Vicki Gruber, Harbour Master and Director of Safety & Security at HOPA Ports. “In Hamilton, we’re proud to mark the 79th annual Top Hat Ceremony, nearly eight decades of celebrating the people who navigate our waters and support the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System.
In Oshawa, this tradition has continued since our amalgamation in 2019, and each year it reinforces the shared commitment to safety, collaboration, and reliability that defines our port community. This tradition, one I always look forward to, honours crews and helps ensure a safe season for every seafarer.
Port of Hamilton
The MV Florence Spirit, operated by McKeil Marine, was the first vessel to arrive in the Port of Hamilton for the 2026 shipping season.
“Being recognized at the Port of Hamilton’s Top Hat Ceremony is especially meaningful to McKeil Marine as we mark 70 years as a Hamilton based company,” said Scott F. Bravener, CEO of McKeil Marine Limited. “It reflects the professionalism of our crews and our long standing commitment to safe, reliable and efficient operations in one of Canada’s most important industrial ports. The Hamilton area has been home to McKeil since the beginning, and we’re proud to continue contributing to the strength and reliability of Great Lakes trade.”
PHOTO: Michael Rodaway, Master, MV Florence Spirit
Upon arrival, the vessel’s Captain and crew were formally welcomed by HOPA Ports, with the presentation of the annual Top Hat recognizing the ship’s role in opening the season.
“This will be my third Top Hat for Hamilton, as always it’s a great honour for the crew, myself and the ship,” said Michael Rodaway, Master, MV Florence Spirit.
The Florence Spirit continues to be a familiar and important presence in Hamilton, supporting industrial supply chains that are critical to the regional and national economy.
“The start of shipping season signals the flow of essential materials for our operations and the region. Crew and partner safety, along with the wellbeing of everyone navigating the Seaway, remains our top priority,” said Danielle Lewis, VP of Procurement at ArcelorMittal Dofasco. “The Seaway and its supporting infrastructure are critical to ArcelorMittal Dofasco's ability to ensure reliable, cost effective, and environmentally responsible transportation of the raw materials utilized in steelmaking.”
The Port of Hamilton remains Canada’s largest Great Lakes port by tonnage, handling a diverse mix of cargo that supports steel production, manufacturing, agri-food, and construction across Ontario and beyond.
Port of Oshawa
The Port of Oshawa welcomed the MV NACC Argonaut as the first vessel of the 2026 shipping season, delivering over 10,000 metric tonnes of cement. This arrival highlights Oshawa’s role in ensuring a steady flow of construction materials to support regional growth.
“We are proud to partner with HOPA Ports, whose welcoming approach and reliable operations are integral to meeting the demands of new construction and modernization projects,” said Mark Lunn, Plant Manager at St. Marys Cement, a Votorantim Cimentos company. “The ports’ connectivity ensures our products reach communities when and where they are needed, strengthening infrastructure, industries, and people who call the GTA home.”
PHOTO: Bruce Dobbin, Captain, MV NACC Argonaut
The Port of Oshawa is a strategic gateway for essential supplies, driving infrastructure improvements and economic progress regionally.
“We are proud to mark the arrival of the NACC Argonaut as the first ship of the season at the Port of Oshawa,” said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation. “Marine transportation is a cornerstone of Canada’s economic strength, enabling the efficient movement of goods that support industry and communities nationwide. We commend the professionalism and commitment of our seafarers and wish all crews a safe 2026 shipping season.”
The arrival of the NACC Argonaut underscores Oshawa’s importance as a hub for construction materials and regional economic activity, strengthening relationships with vessel operators and terminal partners.
As the 2026 shipping season begins, HOPA Ports is pleased to welcome vessels and crews from across the Great Lakes, continuing safe, efficient operations at both the Port of Hamilton and Port of Oshawa. The contributions of these ports remain vital to Ontario’s economy and community wellbeing.
About HOPA Ports
As an integrated port network, the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) offers port and marine assets in Hamilton, Oshawa, and Niagara to support Ontario industries and facilitate trade. By investing in high-quality infrastructure and prioritizing sustainability, HOPA helps build prosperous working waterfronts in Ontario communities. Overseeing more than 1,400 acres and more than 180 tenant companies, 40,000 Ontario jobs are connected to the cargo that passes through HOPA’s integrated ports.
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Kelly Noseworthy
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