St. Lawrence Seaway Cargo Movements Show Positive October Uptick

CORNWALL, ON / WASHINGTON D.C. – St. Lawrence Seaway reported its October performance figures, with cargo shipments reaching 28 million metric tons since the start of the navigation season. Although this represents a slight decrease compared to the same period last year, October saw a positive uptick over September’s results, underscoring the Seaway’s role in supporting the North American supply chain.

“In October, the Seaway System saw a noticeable increase in cargo movements,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “These next few months are typically the busiest of the Seaway’s navigation season. The harvest is in, and U.S. export grain is moving through Great Lakes ports and the Seaway,” said Tindall-Schlicht. “As global demand increases, we anticipate this upward trend in outbound grain shipments to continue through the end of the year.”

“Trends across major cargo segments indicate continued demand in key sectors. Grain rose by 11% year-over-year, driven by robust agricultural exports, while potash increased by 12%. We anticipate a strong finish to the season,” said Jim Athanasiou, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“As we approach the close of the navigation season on January 5 in the Montreal-Lake Ontario section and January 10 in the Welland Canal, the St. Lawrence Seaway remains committed to meeting market needs and supporting growth in North American industries,” added Mr. Athanasiou.