Press Release
PortsToronto celebrates the 163rd annual Top Hat Ceremony with the arrival of the first ship of the season
A sure sign of spring’s arrival, the first international ship of the 2024 shipping season has arrived at the Port of Toronto. Early today, PortsToronto “crowned” Captain Sergiy Kobylyashnyy of the MV Wigeon with an antique top hat – first presented in the spring of 1861– at the annual Top Hat Ceremony. For the past 163 years, PortsToronto has celebrated the official opening of the commercial shipping season by crowning the captain of the first ocean-going vessel or “saltie” to arrive at the port.
The Port of Toronto had another strong year in 2023, moving 2.3 million metric tonnes of bulk and general cargo products and welcoming a record 45 cruise ships and nearly 18,000 visitors to Toronto. The Port of Toronto’s consecutive year of strong performance in marine imports and cruise ship activity highlights the important role the Port plays in Toronto’s economy for tourism, trade and construction.
Overall, 189 cargo vessels visited the Port of Toronto in 2023, delivering a range of bulk, project and general cargo products totalling 2,311,616 million metric tonnes. In addition, 2023 was the second consecutive record year for the Port of Toronto’s Cruise Ship Terminal business. The year 2024 will usher in another strong cruise ship season, with 36 ships expected to call between May and October, bringing nearly 18,000 passengers to Toronto to enjoy all the city has to offer.
Background
The Port of Toronto’s first Harbour Master, Hugh Richardson, initiated the idea to entice ships to bring building materials into the harbour as early as possible each year, allowing Toronto – then a burgeoning city – to start its building season. The first ship was given $100 in a briefcase, and the top hat, which served as the “key to the city’ for a 24-hour period enabling the captain and crew to eat and drink for free. The same top hat, now 163 years old, is used today, although measures are taken to protect and maintain it so it can be used for years to come.
Originally begun as a celebration of the first ship to enter the harbour each year, the annual tradition now celebrates the arrival of the first ocean-going ship of the season, also known as a “saltie.” This year the first ship was the MV Wigeon which arrived in the Port of Toronto from Recife, Brazil, on March 24, carrying more than 20,800 metric tonnes of sugar for the Redpath Refinery. The trip from Brazil took approximately 30 days. The annual ceremony also celebrates the commencement of the 2024 shipping season.
“The Annual Top Hat Ceremony is a longstanding tradition at the Port of Toronto, marking the opening of a vital transportation gateway that provides Canadian and international businesses with a convenient, sustainable and cost-effective way to bring goods into the heart of the city. From the cement and steel used to supply Toronto’s construction industry – one of the busiest in North America – to the sugar used for Canada’s confection industry, the goods delivered through the Port of Toronto play an important role in our national supply chain and Toronto’s economic infrastructure. PortsToronto was pleased to host the 163rd Top Hat ceremony today aboard the MV Wigeon to mark the opening of the 2024 shipping season and to welcome the first of many ships to visit our port this year.”
PortsToronto celebrates the first "Saltie" of the year with the 163rd annual Top Hat Ceremony Spring shipping season kicks off with the arrival of the MV Wigeon into the Port of Toronto on Wednesday, March 27.
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