Seaway Cargon Season off to Positive Start

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Laura M. Blades 202-558-5123

Ship transits up 10% due to surges in grain, steel and general cargo

Washington, D.C. (June 14, 2011) – The St. Lawrence Seaway has reported a strong start to the 2011shipping season. Generally viewed as a bellwether for the regional economy, initial indicators show signs of a continued rebound over last season with significant increases in grain, steel slabs, and general cargo during the first two months of activity.

Year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22 to May 31 were 7.6 million metric tons, up 4 percent over the same period in 2010. Total grain shipments increased by 31 percent to 1.8 million metric tons, while coal increased by 14 percent to 850,000 metric tons.

Coke shipments were up 70 percent to 456,000 metric tons and steel slab rose 102 percent over the same time last year. However, iron ore shipments were down 39 percent to 1.6 million tons.

Grain exports were the story in the United States with an increase of 126 percent over the same period last year, but whether that trend will continue is unknown. “This first shipment of the 2011 season represents about 25,000 acres of wheat produced by farmers in North Dakota,” said Adolph Ojard, Duluth Seaway Port Authority executive director.

Ojard also noted that the next few months will be critical in world wheat markets and here on the Great Lakes with regard to grain shipments. “There‟s no way to accurately forecast tonnages this far ahead because of fluctuations in currency values, anticipated worldwide harvests and the availability of backhaul cargo.”

“While our early grain totals were up over 80% from the same time last year, the full scene won‟t unfold until grain harvests are assessed this summer in Europe, Australia, and North and South America. The lifting of the Russian ban on wheat shipments will also impact international shipments. We are definitely going to have to „wait and see‟ if this robust start continues well into the 2011 season.”

General cargo shipments showed an impressive 177 percent uptick in early season activity as international vessels delivered wind turbine components to the Port of Cleveland and the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor.

In April a shipment of wind turbine blades – each 164 feet long and weighing more than 24,000 pounds – traveled by ship from Germany through the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Port of Cleveland. Destined to generate energy at Lincoln Electric‟s headquarters in a Cleveland suburb, the wind turbine will be one of the largest in Ohio and symbolizes Greater Cleveland‟s commitment to wind energy as well as the Port‟s international connections and economic benefit to the local community. “Without the St. Lawrence Seaway system connecting the Great Lakes to the global economy this project cargo couldn‟t have been transported to Cleveland as efficiently and cost effectively – or with a lower carbon footprint,” said Will Friedman, the Port‟s President and CEO. “This delivery shows once again that we have the workers, infrastructure and deep-water capabilities to safely and efficiently handle heavy lifts coming from overseas.”

“Last year, we had a record 15 shipments of wind cargoes at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, including our first exports of U.S.-made turbines being moved from Iowa to New Brunswick,” said Rich Cooper, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “That momentum has continued in 2011, as we‟ve had three ships from Denmark carrying some of the largest turbine blades in North America. The Seaway provides a perfect connection for European manufacturers to ship large components right to the doorstep of the rapidly growing wind markets here in the Midwest and Great Plains. The recent increase in wind shipments through the Seaway has spurred more investments by ports into specialized handling equipment and facilities, which further enhances the value of this unique shipping connection.”

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway waterway is responsible for approximately 75,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada and 150,000 in the U.S. and annually generates more than $4.3 billion in personal income, $3.4 billion in transportation-related business revenue, and $1.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes. This vital trade corridor delivers approximately $3.6 billion in annual cost savings compared to the next least expensive mode of commercial transportation. This provides a competitive advantage for the North American manufacturing, construction, energy and agri-food sectors.

For interviews, please contact; Nancy Alcalde, Director, Congressional & Public Relations, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation on 202-366-0091.

Marine Delivers is a bi-national, industry collaboration that aims to demonstrate the positive economic and environmental benefits, safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability of the shipping industry throughout the Great Lakes-Seaway System. The Marine Delivers initiative is administered by the American Great Lakes Ports Association in the United States, and the Chamber of Marine Commerce in Canada. For more information, visit the Marine Delivers website at www.marinedelivers.com.