St. Lawrence Seaway cargo shipments sink 7 percent

Overall cargo shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway declined this season, however U.S. grain shipments are thriving.    The St. Lawrence Seaway reported a total of 14.5 million metric tons of cargo were shipped through the seaway between its seasonal opening on April 2 and July 31, a year-over-year drop of 7 percent.
   Coal volumes fell significantly by 38 percent. In addition, iron and general cargo both slipped 8 percent and liquid bulk dropped 3 percent.
   Although overall shipments decreased significantly, several industries have thrived so far this year. U.S. grain shipments were up by 63 percent to 765,000 metric tons, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway authority. Several U.S. ports receive and export grain through the waterway, which include Duluth-Superior, Toledo, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana Burns Harbor and Buffalo, the Chamber of Marine Commerce said.
   Cement shipments rose 11 percent, which resulted from an increase in U.S. construction activity. In addition, dry bulk shipments increased 10 percent.
   Although it is turning out to be a mixed year for cargo throughout the seaway, several ports have reported success in various areas.
   The Port of Detroit, for example, noted shipments of steel, aluminum and machinery from April 2 through July 31 were up 17 percent year-over-year.
   The Port of Cleveland has seen an increase in new customers that previously utilized coastal ports, Port of Cleveland Vice President for Maritime and Logistics David Gutheil said in a statement.
   “July was another strong month in our traditional steel sector, which includes steel coils, pipe, and wire rod,” Gutheil said. “The Cleveland-Europe Express service has also continued its momentum. Containerized cargo has increased by more than 300 percent compared to 2014.”
   Throughout this year’s shipping season, the Port of Toledo has seen an increase in grain, petroleum products and bulk materials’ shipments. In July alone, more than 22,000 tons of aluminum and steel were shipped via barges from Canada to the Port of Toledo.
   “Much of this break bulk cargo used to find its way to our area via long haul cross-border truck routes, now more processors and manufacturers are taking advantage of marine transportation to bring goods to our region,” Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority Vice President of Business Development Joe Cappel said.