Cargo & Commodities

Each year, millions of tons of materials are shipped efficiently through the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. This section covers the various bulk cargo, from iron ore and petroleum to stone and cement, being transported along the system.

Algoma Endeavour Reflags Under Canadian Registry at the Port of Montreal

On April 23, the Algoma Endeavour completed its reflagging process at the Port of Montreal. The vessel will now sail under the Canadian flag on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway.... Read More

Navigation Season Sees Promising Start on the Great Lakes

Despite facing increased economic uncertainty and unpredictability, the 67th navigation season is well underway on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway. According to the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), the... Read More

Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Decreases in March 2025

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes were below one million tons in March, a decrease of 39.1 percent compared to 2024. Loadings... Read More

Great Lakes Stakeholders Closely Monitoring U.S. and Canadian Tariffs

Since January, for millions of U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes stakeholders, friends, business partners, colleagues and family members, this past winter must have seemed like the War of 1812 had... Read More

Port of Green Bay Welcomes First Ship of 2025 Shipping Season

The 2025 shipping season officially kicked off at the Port of Green Bay with the arrival of the Innovation with tug Samuel De Champlain on Wednesday, March 12. The Innovation,... Read More

How the New Administration Addresses the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System

Experts and executives are expecting that the Trump administration could bring significant changes to Great Lakes maritime traffic and ports. Small changes could have real economic impacts on many companies... Read More

U.S. Tariff Impact on Great Lakes Shipping

After threatening to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, U.S. President Donald Trump is keeping them at the original 25 percent rate. This latest development came after President... Read More

Michigan Soybean Committee Starts New Alliance to Expand Great Lakes Shipping

In December, the Michigan Soybean Committee hosted the inaugural meeting of a new trade-focused group called the Great Lakes Alliance for Sustainable Shipping (GLASS).  The original idea for the new... Read More

CMC Calls on Canada to Focus on Economy in Response to Possible U.S. Tariffs

As the threat of a trade war with the United States looms, the Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) is calling on Canadian government leaders to focus on economic and trade... Read More

Great Lakes Limestone and Iron Ore Trade in 2024

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 28.3 million tons in 2024, a decrease of 3.9 percent compared to 2023. 2024’s loadings were below the trade’s five-year average by... Read More

Great Lakes Limestone Trade Down in November

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled nearly 3 million tons in November, a decrease of 4.9 percent compared to a year ago.  Limestone cargos were just 8,340 tons... Read More