U.S. grain shipments boost cargo tonnage on seaway
Coal and liquid bulk were big movers on the St. Lawrence Seaway and helped bring the amount of cargo moved through the system by the end of July nearly up to last year’s numbers.
St. Lawrence Seaway Management
Corp. said the total amount of cargo moved was 16.5 million tonnes, down just 41,000 tonnes — or 0.25 per cent — over the same time last year. Coal shipments were up 33.72 per cent over last year, with 1.2 million tonnes moved; liquid bulk shipments were up 25.19 per cent, with 2.2 million tonnes moved.
According to the Chamber of Marine Commerce, areas of strength included U.S. grain shipments totalling 888,000 tonnes, up 32 per cent over last year.
“U.S. grain shipment increases are coming out of Toledo and heading to European markets. Some of the increase can be attributed to the 2017 soybean crop that did not go out at the end of last year due to the weather,” said president Bruce Burrows.
Dry bulk shipments were down nearly nine per cent, due to decreases in salt shipments from earlier in the season. Iron ore shipments took the biggest hit, down 15.29 per cent over last year, while general cargo shipments were down 6.51 per cent.
The number of vessels — ocean-going, lakers and tugs/barges — transiting the 3,700-kilometre seaway system was up nearly 2.5 per cent over last year.