St. Lawrence Seaway Reports Significant Cargo Increase

The St. Lawrence Seaway has seen a substantial increase in cargo shipments for the 2024 navigation season.

As of August 31, 19.5 million metric tons of cargo have been transported through the seaway, with notable growth in key commodities compared to the same period in 2023, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) said in a joint statement on Monday.

“The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System continues to provide shippers a reliable route for a diverse range of commodities flowing in and out of the U.S. heartland,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the U.S. government entity responsible for the Seaway’s management within U.S. territorial limits. “Cargo numbers continue to improve thanks to the dedicated workers at U.S. and Canadian ports and on the vessels who are keeping vital products like grain and steel moving efficiently through the Great Lakes maritime supply chain.”

Significant increases were observed in several cargo categories. Specifically, grain shipments rose by 5.6% to 5.2 million metric tons, potash increased by 21% to 849,000 metric tons, petroleum products saw a 27% increase to 1.8 million metric tons, and iron and steel shipments grew by 35% to 1.3 million metric tons.

The economic impact of the seaway is substantial. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System supports over 350,000 jobs across the U.S. and Canada, contributing to a regional economy that, if independent, would rank as the world’s third-largest.

Jim Athanasiou, President and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, which is responsible for managing the Canadian portion of the waterway system on behalf of Canada, emphasized the seaway’s environmental efforts: “Marine shipping on the Seaway is an environmentally-friendly method for transporting goods. That’s why we’re actively working with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation on initiatives like the Green Shipping Corridor to further increase our sustainability.”

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