Agriculture Products a Key Part of Increased Traffic at the Start of Marine Shipping on the Seaway

The first tonnage statistics for 2025 have been reported by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, and thus far the 67^th navigation season is showing a year over year increase in overall traffic. As of the end of April, total traffic reached 4.5 million tonnes, representing a 3.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024. 

Grain and potash movements had a particularly strong start to the year, with more than 1.5 million tonnes of grain moving over the period (a year over year increase of approximately 23%) and 155,000 tonnes of potash transiting the seaway (a year over year increase of approximately 43%.) Increases in the movements of these and other commodities like dry and liquid bulk cargoes offset lower opening traffic for other commodities.

These numbers illustrate how Canadian grain and potash producers have been stepping up to meet increased global demand for more than two years in response to changing global dynamics that include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A CMC member playing a huge role in the successful movement Canadian grain is The Port of Thunder Bay. The port provides access to European markets for Western Canadian grain producers through the longest grain supply chain in the world.  The port has engaged in a continuous evolution of its infrastructure over the past twenty years, which has included tens of millions in capital infrastructure investments that have modernized cargo handling assets, and focused on management of heavy, oversized, and project cargo.

“Our targeted investments have ensured supply chain fluidity for the Port of Thunder Bay’s growing customer base,” stated Chris Heikkinen, CEO of the Port of Thunder Bay. “The 2024 shipping season was the best on record in more than 25 years, and we look forward to another big year in 2025. Our commitment to continuous development, capacity to handle multiple types of cargo, and strategic location makes Thunder Bay an ideal inbound gateway for commodities moving into Northern Ontario and Western Canada.”

“CMC members understand the vital roles they play in the movement of cargoes that are foundational to the needs of diverse businesses and consumers, and their dedication to best practice, lowest cost, and highest quality supports the success of trading relationships around the world,” noted Jason Card, Director of Communications for the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “With new federal governments established this year in both Canada and the United States, we look forward to emphasizing our members’ contributions to the economy and finding ways to strengthen those contributions with sound policy and investment.”

Key Facts

The marine industry on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway plays a vital role in maintaining and growing economic prosperity by enabling efficient trade within North America and around the world.

As the safest, most efficient, and environmentally sustainable method of carrying bulk freight, it is clear that increased use of the laker fleet alleviates highway congestion, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports jobs and stronger supply chains.

In July of 2023, an independent study by Martin Associates was released, confirming the tremendous importance of marine shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway and coastal and arctic regions to the North American economy. The study revealed that the industry:

• made a total annual contribution of $50.9 Billion USD in economic activity across North America,
• supported almost 360,000 jobs across the continent, and
• generated $23 Billion USD in wages and $9.8 Billion USD in taxes.

The study was released with the endorsement of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the Minister of Transport Canada, and was developed at the mutual request of The Chamber of Marine Commerce, The Lake Carriers’ Association, The American Great Lakes Ports Association, The Shipping Federation of Canada, and the U.S. and Canadian management organizations that oversee Seaway operations.