St. Lawrence Seaway cargo volumes up 20% in 2017

The Great Lakes region has seen steady economic growth, with cargo shipping increasing two million metric tons more in Q2 than during the same period last year.    Total cargo shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway are up 20 percent this year, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. 
   Total cargo tonnage from March 20 to June 30 reached 12 million metric tons, or two million metric tons more compared to the same period in 2016, said the Seaway Management Corp.
   Specific cargoes are doing very well this year, with Canadian grain up 14 percent, totaling at 2.4 million metric tons. Vessels have been noted to ship a large carry-over of Prairie and Ontario grain products from the fall harvest to overseas markets, said the Seaway Management Corp.
   Year-to-date iron ore shipments totaled 2.8 million metric tons, up 65 percent from the year prior. Canadian domestic carriers are loading U.S. iron ore pellets at Minnesota ports and docks to ship via the Seaway to the Port of Quebec, where it is then transferred to larger ocean-going vessels for onward transport to Japan and China, said the Seaway Management Corp.
   Dry bulk cargo shipments, which include materials like stone, cement, gypsum, road salt and potash, from March 20 to June 30 totaled 3.4 million metric tons, up 17 per cent over the same period last year. General cargo shipments including specialized steel and aluminum ingots destined to be used in the automotive and construction industries also topped 1.1 million metric tons, up 29 percent, said the Seaway Management Corp.
  “Seaway cargo shipments are a reflection of North American and global economic conditions in industries such as auto manufacturing, construction, mining and agriculture. Cargo volumes have improved in almost every category from iron ore and grain to road salt and construction materials compared to last spring,” said Terence Bowles, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.
   “Great Lakes-Seaway shipping is supporting domestic economic growth and international trade from provinces across Canada by providing reliable, efficient and sustainable transportation,” said Bowles.
   Regional improvements include the opening of a $50 million new lake terminal at the Port of Hamilton. The terminal is operated by grain company G3 Canada and will facilitate grain handling in southern Ontario. 
   “The Seaway is critical to the expansion of our business of exporting Canadian grain to world markets. G3 Hamilton loaded its first vessel in the month of June and is gearing up for a strong fall program when farmers begin to harvest this year’s crops,” said the CEO of G3, Karl Gerrand.