The Captain Henry Jackman was the first ship to arrive in Goderich this year.
Captain Neil Olsen brought the ship into port shortly after nine o'clock last night. Olsen says the shipping season is getting longer every year but this season started a little later than normal.
He says ice conditions aren't as bad as last year, but alot of ice still exists along the east side of Lake Huron.
Olsen adds his ship was sailing until the end of February so the winter break was just a little over a month.
The Captain Henry Jackman sailed up from Sarnia and will take a load of salt to Milwaukee.