Fewer vessels on seaway through end of October
Liquid bulk shipments down 32.18 per cent compared to last year at the same time
Cargo moved on the 3,700-kilometre-long Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Seaway system through the end of October was down 7.9 per cent compared to the same time last year, figures recently released show.
It’s a slight uptick compared to figures released at the end of September by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.
While all cargo shipped was down 2.365 million tonnes compared to October 2019, grain saw the biggest increase — 19.31 per cent or 27,661,000 million tonnes — and was the only category with a positive number.
There is a high demand for Canadian grain in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, the Chamber of Marine Commerce said in a release.
“In a difficult year like 2020, it’s wonderful to see Canadian grain in high demand around the world,” said seaway president and chief executive officer Terence Bowles, in the chamber release.
He said the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway is a critical export gateway for Prairie grain throughout the year and added Ontario soybean shipments are now well underway.
“We expect the Ontario soybean harvest to reach record yields by the end of the season. More than 35 per cent has been harvested already.”
The largest decrease seen by the end of last month was in liquid bulk shipments, down 32.18 per cent compared to last year.
Iron ore shipments followed
with a drop of 16.35 per cent, and dry bulk down 14.87 per cent. Coal shipments were down 9.02 per cent, and general cargo 4.22 per cent.
The seaway system saw 378 fewer vessels — ocean-going, lakers and tug-barge combinations — transit from the St. Lawrence River through to Lake Superior, including the eight-lock Welland Canal in Niagara.
Though fewer vessels have moved through the system, ship watchers should see a new one from St. Catharines-based Algoma Central Corp. pass
through later this month.
Algoma Intrepid joined the fleet in October and is the second in the Equinox class of 650- foot self- unloading dry-bulk carriers. It was built at the 3 Maj Shipyard in Croatia and has a forward-mounted boom which allows cargo to be delivered at hard- to- reach docks.
“The Algoma team has been working hard to offset the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industries we serve, and we are seeing this hard work come to fruition,” said Algoma president and
chief executive officer Gregg
Ruhl.
He said there are still challenges ahead as market recovery in Canada and around the world is still uncertain.
“What we are certain of is that the marine industry is a huge player in this recovery, and we will continue to do our part in keeping supply chains moving. I look forward to the arrival of the Algoma Intrepid in the Great Lakes, and we are ready for her to join our operating fleet.”
The company’s newest vessel is entering the system during
the busiest months in the shipping season begin, as industries across the region stockpile vital materials ahead of the winter months.
And companies like Algoma, Lower Lakes Towing Ltd., McKeil Marine and Canadian Steamship Lines will have a bit more time to ship cargo as the seaway extends the season on the Welland Canal.
The extension follows a pilot program started last season. This year all vessels will have to be clear of the canal by noon on Jan. 8, operating conditions permitting.