The Soo Locks connect Lake Superior to the lower lakes and provide large vessels transporting cargo a way to traverse the lakes safely. The largest lock, the Poe, handles 90 percent of all cargoes. Should there be an unexpected shutdown, 11 million jobs could be at stake, according to the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership.
“The Soo Locks are going to hell,” Trump told the crowd. “You know that right? And we’re going to get them fixed up.”
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that a six-month unexpected closure of the Poe Lock would result in dire consequences for the national economy, according to the seaway coalition. The DHS projected that 11 million Americans would lose their jobs and the state of Michigan’s unemployment would reach 22 percent, exceeding the peak unemployment rate of 15 percent during the Great Recession of 2008.
The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership is a coalition of U.S. and Canadian maritime organizations working to enhance public understanding of the benefits of commercial shipping in the Great Lakes Seaway region of North America. The organization manages an education-focused communications program and works with media, policymakers, community groups, allied industries, environmental stakeholders and the general public to highlight the positive attributes of marine transportation.
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System is a marine highway that extends 2,300 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. About 160 million tons of cargo travels over the system on an annual basis, supporting more than 227,000 jobs and $34 billion in economic activity.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now