Great Lakes Seaway Partnership becomes operational

The partnership was formed to enhance the public’s understanding on the importance of Great Lakes shipping.    The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership, composed of The American Great Lakes Ports Association, the Lake Carriers’ Association, Fednav Limited and the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, began operations this week.
   The organization said in a statement the primary goal of the new partnership is to bring together maritime organizations in both the United States and Canada to promote the benefits of commercial shipping on the Great Lakes.
   The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership said their mission is to make the public aware of the economic, environmental and safety benefits of marine transportation.
   From the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway on April 2, up to May 31, 6.4 million metric tons of cargo shipments were transported via the Great Lakes waterway, according to the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership. This is down 7 percent over the same period in 2014.
   General cargo shipments were up 5.11 percent during that time period; steel up 5.6 percent; project cargo up 75 percent; U.S. grain shipments up 40 percent: dry bulk up 4 percent; stone up 11 percent; and cement up 10 percent. Iron ore was down 31 percent, while coal was down 28 percent and liquid bulk was down 10 percent.