Export/import activity drives St. Lawrence Seaway cargo up 5% over 2013

OTTAWA – Total cargo shipments on the St. Lawrence Seaway have now surpassed 2013 levels by 5 per cent due to strong North American import/export activity.

According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, total cargo tonnage from March 25 to September 30 reached 24.4 million metric tons.

Grain exports continue to be strong with total shipments (including Canada and the U.S.) reaching 6.8 million metric tons, up 70 per cent over the same period last year.

Shipments of general cargo, including specialty steel and heavy machinery and wind turbines, are up 73 per cent to 1.9 million metric tons. 

Finished steel imports to the Port of Hamilton have risen 150 per cent this season and project cargo including heavy equipment, building components and wind turbines have increased by 164 per cent.

The Port of Oshawa has handled more than 100,000 metric tons of steel rebar this season. The port’s crews also loaded a dozen 50-tonne transformers onto the M/V Merwedegracht. The transformers, built by Trench Canada in Pickering, headed for the Port of Duluth-Superior, Minnesota before moving on to substations in Alberta.

Municipal stockpiling of road salt ahead of the coming winter has also driven shipments via the Seaway up by 32 per cent this season to 1.9 million metric tons.  Canadian mines have been working hard to replenish city reserves in Canada and the U.S..

These areas of strength have helped to offset decreases in shipments of other commodities through the navigation system.

Quotes

• Stephen Brooks, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce — “September was another strong month for the St. Lawrence Seaway as marine shipping helped Canadian companies export products and import much-needed materials. Many people don’t realize that ships are regularly carrying a huge amount of trade between Canada and the U.S. via the Great Lakes-Seaway. For many companies, it is also the most cost-effective and direct route to import and export goods to and from European markets.”
• Bruce Wood, President and CEO, Hamilton Port Authority — “As the southern Ontario economy continues its recovery, construction and manufacturing are picking up. That translates into growing steel and project cargo tonnages at the Port of Hamilton.”
• Donna Taylor, President and CEO, Oshawa Port Authority — “The Port of Oshawa is becoming the port of choice for more steel importers from around the world. So far this year, the port has handled more than 100,000 metric tons of steel rebar, used to support building construction across Canada. Last month, the Port of Oshawa was also instrumental in moving massive transformers from Pickering to Duluth-Superior via the Great Lakes-Seaway system and then on to Alberta. This is a great example of how the port is supporting North American industry through short sea shipping, especially when road or rail over a long distance just isn’t an option.”

Quick Facts

• The bi-national Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway marine industry generates $35 billion in business revenues and supports 227,000 jobs in the U.S. and Canada.

Flickr

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About the Chamber of Marine Commerce

The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 150 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international shipowners.  The Chamber represents the interests of its members by addressing government issues affecting marine transportation.  Advocacy extends to federal, state/provincial and municipal levels of government.

Media Contact

Julia Fields

Chamber of Marine Commerce

613-294-8515