Seaway delivers stability amid global supply

The critical role of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system in the global supply chain has been brought into sharp focus over the last few years. On 24 January, the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) and U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) jointly announced that more than 36mt (million tonnes) of cargo transited the system during the 2022 navigation season.

2022 Result Highlights

US and Canadian producers helped v mitigate global issues affecting fertilizer supplies, which drove significant growth in potash, up over 100% compared to 2021.

Dry bulk commodities, including coke, v salt and potash, contributed over 11mt of the 2022 total.

Petroleum products were up nearly v 28% over last year, due to increased passenger travel.

US grain exports increased, and v although month-over-month Canadian grain performed well, it did not match last year’s results. The effects of the 2021 drought in the Canadian prairies impacted export movements at the beginning of the 2022 season. That said, the improved 2022 grain harvest

Seaway Monthly Traffic Results

2022 End of Navigation Results is expected to result in a strong start for 2023.

An increase of vessel transits, including v expanded cruise ship activity in the Great Lakes helped contribute to tourism and economic development in Canada and the United States.

“Seaway traffic results show positive trends amongst certain commodities, which demonstrates our system’s ability to quickly adapt to changes in the market,” said Terence Bowles, President and CEO of the SLSMC. “It’s this agility that enables the Seaway to respond to changes and act on emerging opportunities, such as shifting trade patterns resulting from global events. In addition, we are working closely with partners to develop lands along the Seaway, which will benefit both the economy and local communities.”

“Through decades of investment and reliability, the Great Lakes are uniquely positioned to weather upheavals in the