NEWS RELEASE – As the fall harvest approaches for many farmers in the Midwest, grain shipments continue to be strong on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System.
According to the latest figures, U.S. grain shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway from March 29 to August 31 topped one million metric tons, up 31 percent over the same period last year. The majority of U.S. exports originated from the Port of Toledo and were carry over from the 2017 grain season.
The grain rush has helped boost overall cargo shipments on the St. Lawrence Seaway for the season to 21.4 million metric tons; a four per cent increase over this time last year. Liquid bulk shipments at 2.8 million metric tons are also up 33 per cent, with coal at 1.5 million metric tons, up 30 per cent. Dry bulk shipments reached 5.5 million metric tons, down four percent.
“Total cargo shipments through the St. Lawrence Seaway are now ahead of last year’s very strong shipping season,” says Bruce Burrows, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “We anticipate this momentum to continue into fall as the new harvests head to market and other commodities benefit from the strength of the American economy.”
Grain and coal shipments to the Port of Toledo in August helped move total tonnage for 2018 ahead of 2017. Grain shipments are up 80 percent over 2017 due to increasing global demand for soybeans. Increased volumes are also moving through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway as an alternative to the U.S. Gulf, where grain export facilities are reaching capacity.
“With a steady stream of inbound ocean-going traffic, there is significant capacity for backhaul opportunities of grain through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System this year,” said Joe Cappel, VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Shippers are taking advantage of our inland waterway system to access global markets with inbound and outbound cargo and, as a result, our saltwater traffic has doubled this year mainly due to outbound grain shipments.”
The Port of Cleveland’s international tonnage increased 10 percent in August when compared to August 2017. “Our project cargo sector remains very strong as we continue to handle large generators and transformers,” says David S. Gutheil, Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Cleveland. The Port also had eight visits from Victory Cruise Lines in August, which was their busiest month in the cruise sector since that business started in 2017. The Port of Cleveland will welcome a total of 22 passenger vessels in 2018 and have already booked more than 30 visits in 2019.
The Port of Green Bay had an exceptional month in August; total tonnage for the season is up 16 percent from this time last year. “August has been our best month for shipping so far in 2018,” says Dean Haen, Port Director. While petroleum shipments have been consistently high this year, imports of cement, limestone and coal all experienced significant increases in August. Haen also reports that the Port of Green Bay has welcomed nine more ships to-date in 2018 than the same time last season.
According to a new study released this summer, cargo shipments to ports on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River waterway support 147,500 jobs and generate U.S.$25.6 billion in economic activity in the eight Great Lakes states.
View the full study at www.marinedelivers.comand our Infographicon the results.
###
Photos can be downloaded at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marinecommerce/albums/72157657049769546
About the Chamber of Marine Commerce
The Chamber of Marine Commerce is a bi-national association that represents more than 130 marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system’s significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Julia Fields
Chamber of Marine Commerce
(613) 294-8515
The Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is a bi-national association that represents diverse marine industry stakeholders including major Canadian and American shippers, ports, terminals and marine service providers, as well as Canadian domestic and international ship owners. The Chamber advocates for safe, sustainable, harmonized and competitive policy and regulation that recognizes the marine transportation system's significant advantages in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Coastal and Arctic regions.
Media Contact:
Jason Card
Chamber of Marine Commerce
jcard@cmc-ccm.com
(613) 447 5401