BEAUHARNOIS, Que. - The first ship of the season to travel up the St. Lawrence Seaway has run aground near Beauharnois, Que., about 35 kilometres southwest of Montreal.

A spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada says the Canadian bulk carrier CWB Marquis went aground after hitting a large floe of ice.

The TSB says it is sending a team of investigators to the site, where the vessel is awaiting help from a tugboat.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. says the vessel is owned by CWB, the former Canadian Wheat Board.

Its departure Thursday through the St. Lambert Lock marked the official opening of the Seaway's 57th navigation season.

Last year, 40 million tonnes of cargo moved up the Great Lakes/St Lawrence Seaway.