The spring 2024 issue contains features of great topicality for industry stakeholders and policymakers following developments impacting on Canadian domestic and international trade.

First of all, we draw your attention to a rare in-depth review in any publication of the vital role played by Canada’s universally-respected marine pilots in fostering shipping safety and protecting the environment on all coasts and inland waterways.

Secondly, there is our annual summary of major initiatives in the ever-evolving shortsea/green corridor arena on the east and west coasts. Then there is the annual feature on the strategic U.S. Midwest market which is currently steering a solid path through challenging times.

Finally, the editor’s First Watch column is devoted to an issue of great future significance: to what extent the global hunt for critical minerals will open opportunities – amidst huge environmental concerns – for a proposed potential new industry: deep-sea mining on the world’s oceans.