The U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) has announced that seven ports earning the award are: Port of Cleveland (Ohio), Conneaut Port Authority (Ohio), Illinois International Port District (Chicago), Port of Duluth-Superior (Minn.), Lorain Port and Finance Authority (Ohio), Port Milwaukee (Wis.), and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority (Ohio).

The Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award was established in 1992 to recognize the achievements of U.S. ports whose activities result in increasing international tonnage shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway, excluding Canada, in comparison with the previous year.

“Congratulations to the seven Great Lakes ports being recognized as Pacesetter Award recipients for their achievements during the 2024 Seaway navigation season,” said GLS Administrator Mike McCoshen. “These dedicated teams of port professionals work hard to move increasing amounts of cargo safely and efficiently.”

• Port of Duluth-Superior increased tonnage movement by 17% and shipped more than 783,000 metric tons of international freight
• Port Milwaukee increased tonnage by 70% and shipped more than 324,000 metric tons of international freight
• Lorain Port and Finance Authority moved more than 47,000 metric tons of international freight
• Illinois International Port District increased tonnage movement by 13% and shipped more than 235,000 metric tons of international freight
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority increased tonnage by 7% and shipped more than 2,400,000 metric tons of international freight
• Port of Cleveland increased tonnage movement by 30% and shipped more than 320,000 metric tons of international freight

The Great Lakes navigation system has a long, demonstrated record of being a safe, reliable and efficient passage for commercial transportation, supporting 150,000 U.S. jobs, $26 billion in economic activity, and $19 billion in business revenue annually.

Featured image courtesy of AGLPA (L-R): Dave Gutheil, Interim CEO & Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Cleveland; Joe Cappel, Vice President of Business Development, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority; Thomas Winston, President & CEO, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority; Administrator Mike McCoshen, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Kevin Beardsley, Executive Director, Duluth Seaway Port Authority; Jackie Q. Carter, Port Director, Port Milwaukee; and Tiffany McClelland, Executive Director at Lorain Port and Finance Authority.