ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY CARGO VOLUME DOWN IN 2002

ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY CARGO VOLUME DOWN IN 2002    The St. Lawrence Seaway system, which is jointly managed by the U.S. and Canadian governments, reported a decrease in cargo volumes during the 2002 navigation season.
   Estimated cargo passing through Welland Canal and the Montreal/Lake Ontario sections of the seaway was about 41.1 million metric tons, 1.4 percent lower than in 2001.
   Iron ore was the biggest commodity shipped through the seaway at 9.6 million metric tons, up 11.4 percent over last year. Grain volumes dropped 12.8 percent compared to 2001. Other commodities associated with the steel industry and other bulk cargoes dropped about 5 percent.
   Vessel transits amounted to 3,865 over the entire seaway for the season lasting from March 26 to Dec. 26.
   Starting next year, vessels transiting the seaway must have Automatic Vessel Identification System equipment on board. Guy Veronneau, president of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., said Automatic Vessel Identification System should “contribute greatly to the safety, security and efficiency of traffic.”
   The Canadian government is also considering participating in a five-year feasibility phase of the comprehensive Great Lakes Navigation Feasibility Study. This study will investigate the cost of maintaining the existing structures for the next 50 years, Veronneau said.
   Next year’s seaway navigation season will begin on March 25. The port of Montreal, however, remains open during the winter months to accommodate traffic on the St. Lawrence River.