The St. Lawrence Seaway is releasing new figures on its performance. As of the end of August, 19.5 million metric tons of cargo have been shipped on the St. Lawrence Seaway so far this navigation season. The consistency and reliability of the binational system makes it a key supply chain link moving the goods that drive the North American economy. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System supports over 350,000 jobs across the U.S. and Canada, in a region that if it were its own country, would be the third largest economy in the world.

“The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System continues to provide shippers a reliable route for a diverse range of commodities flowing in and out of the U.S. heartland,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS). “Cargo numbers continue to improve thanks to the dedicated workers at U.S. and Canadian ports and on the vessels who are keeping vital products like grain and steel moving efficiently through the Great Lakes maritime supply chain.”

Cargos which showed significant increases compared to the same period in 2023 are:

• Grain:  5.2 million metric tons of Canadian and U.S. grain shipped, up by 277,000 metric tons or 5.6 percent

• Potash: 849,000 metric tons of potash shipped, up by 145,000 metric tons or 21 percent

• Petroleum: 1.8 million metric tons of petroleum products shipped, up by 385, 000 metric tons or 27 percent

• Iron and steel: 1.3 million metric tons of iron and steel shipped, up by 347,000 metric tons or 35 percent

“The St. Lawrence Seaway is a vital link in the supply chain that keeps our economies moving,” said Jim Athanasiou, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC). “Marine shipping on the Seaway is an environmentally-friendly method for transporting goods. That’s why we’re actively working with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) on initiatives like the Green Shipping Corridor to further increase our sustainability.”

As the season progresses, leaders expect tonnage levels to remain on trend demonstrating the seaway as a resilient, predictable and sustainable binational system for global shipping.