Shipping spikes on St. Lawrence H2O highway

CORNWALL, Ont. — The St. Lawrence Seaway reported a marked increase in cargo shipped through the Seaway system from January to April 2010, compared to the same period last year.

Total cargo shipments for the period are up 18 percent to 3,654,000 tonnes in the first part of 2010. Of particular note is the 127-percent increase in iron ore shipments destined for steel manufacturers in the Great Lakes’ region.

"These numbers reflect the integral role that the marine shipping industry plays in North America’s emerging economic recovery — especially in the manufacturing sector," said Richard Corfe, president and CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. "It is apparent that the manufacturing industry is on the upswing and driving demand for commodities such as iron ore to make steel, which in turn becomes consumer goods such as automobiles."

The Seaway is responsible for approximately 75,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada and 150,000 in the U.S. and annually generates more than $4.3 billion in personal income, $3.4 billion in transportation-related business revenue, and $1.3 billion in federal, state and local taxes, according to the latest Seaway research.

The Great Lakes basin is home to a significant portion of the manufacturing sectors in both Canada and the United States, including the vast majority of steel and auto manufacturing in both countries.

"With the economic rebound being experienced by the core industrial sectors we serve, especially the steel industry, we anticipate a higher level of fleet activity and crew employment levels this season," said Allister Paterson, president and CEO of Seaway Marine Transport, operator of the largest bulk carrier fleet on the Great Lakes. 


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