Dry bulk traffic posted the largest increase among the cargo categories, rising 16.98% to 7.421 million metric tons from 6.344 million metric tons a year earlier. 

Grain traffic declined 3.28%, falling to 6.108 million metric tons from 6.315 million metric tons. Iron ore shipments decreased 5.41% to 2.944 million metric tons, while coal traffic fell 0.74% to 735,000 metric tons. 

Liquid bulk traffic was essentially unchanged at 2.352 million metric tons, compared with 2.352 million metric tons in 2025. 

General cargo traffic declined 12.29%, from 1.312 million metric tons in August 2025 to 1.151 million metric tons in August 2026. 

Vessel transits increased 7.1% year over year. The Seaway recorded 2,309 transits in August 2026, up from 2,156 in August 2025, an increase of 153 transits.  

Feature photo: Port of Hamilton