MarineLink in its simplest form is an exploration into new marine based transportation markets that are currently not being serviced by the traditional Great Lakes shipping industry. MarineLink is not solely about marine transportation options; rather, it is about developing new transportation systems with an essential marine component, but also involving shore facilities, multi-modal links and advanced transportation logistics.

Originating as an investigation of opportunities in trans-lake shipping, the MarineLink concept was born in 2003 with the idea of developing a truck ferry service across Lake Erie, using a drop-barge system, between Nanticoke and Erie. The idea was well received by all that it was discussed with and seemed to offer an answer for border congestion, driver shortages and restrictive weight limits.

In a move to provide the necessary shore facilities, MarineLink aligned with Hamilton Port Authority (HPA) as its port infrastructure partner. HPA in turn expanded the scope of MarineLink to include a Lake Ontario Ro-Ro operation through Hamilton as well as the original Lake Erie project. Further research uncovered a market for container movement from the Atlantic Coast into the Great Lakes, leading in turn to partnership with Melford Terminal and the prospect of a container feeder service.

As new partners were engaged and research continued, additional opportunities were uncovered which required services or vessels not readily available on the Great Lakes. The MarineLink concept evolved to its current state, as a way to provide the type of flexible shipping and logistics services that were not available.

Today MarineLink is operational, with a growing fleet of vessels, taking on the challenge of providing "New Generation Shipping". MarineLink continues its work in developing partnerships, exploring new shipping options and identifying and removing impediments to an effective Short-Sea-Shipping industry in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway corridor.