The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership today announced the tonnage report for commercial vessel activity in the St. Lawrence Seaway System through November, 2022. The report indicates the Seaway System continues to be a reliable and dependable global shipping route.

“Shipping on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System depends on the capabilities of a network of highly capable ports that help feed the world and empower our economy at home,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “The November tonnage report is another indicator that international supply chains through Great Lakes ports are diverse and reliable as we near the close of the 2022 shipping season.”

November grain exports originated from Oswego, Toledo, Milwaukee, and Duluth, showcasing the diversity of the Seaway System supply chain and the global access that North American growers and exporters have via the Great Lakes.

It's estimated that U.S. Great Lakes ports traded with at least 19 countries during November, up from 18 in October.

Below are the key performance indicators and commodity data comparing tonnage figures through November 2022 to the same period of 2021.

2022 Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Key Performance Indicators**

2021

2022

Change (+/-)

Total Transits*

3,443

3,502

+1.71%

Total Cargo*

33,845,000 mt

31,536,000 mt

-6.82%

*Combined U.S. and Canadian traffic

**All data is compared year-over-year (2021: Shipments from April 1 to Nov. 30 2021) (2022: Shipments from March 22 to Nov. 30 2022)

2022 Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Key Commodity Trackers***

2021

2022

Change (+/-)**

U.S Grain

1,106,000 mt

1,078,000 mt

-2.61 %

Coke*

1,308,000 mt

1,517,000 mt

+15.97%

Potash*

368,000 mt

1,046,000 mt

+184.65%

Salt*

2,306,000 mt

2,703,000 mt

+17.23%

Petroleum Products*

1,714,000 mt

2,185,000 mt

+27.45%

Other General Cargo

73,000 mt

172,000 mt

+135.66%

*Combined U.S. and Canadian traffic

**Percentages rounded to nearest tenth

***All data is compared year-over-year (2021: Shipments from April 1 to Nov. 30 2021) (2022: Shipments from March 22 to Nov. 30 2022)

November highlights from American Great Lakes ports

Lake Superior

More than 1.9 million short tons of iron ore sailed from the Port of Duluth-Superior in November 2022 – the season’s fourth-highest monthly iron ore throughput – helping lift the port’s season-to-date maritime tonnage total above 26.5 million through Nov. 30, 2022.

“General cargo shipments, including project cargoes, over-dimensional cargoes and a variety of other types, have definitely been among the highlights this season in the Port of Duluth-Superior,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “It’s been a very good year for those arrivals, with shippers benefiting not only from Duluth Cargo Connect heavy-lift capabilities, but also from our port’s excellent road and rail clearances to and from the middle of North America. It’s part of the advantage cargo-movers gain by using the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System to reach the Upper Midwest and interior Canada.”

Lake Erie

During November, tonnage at the Port of Toledo surpassed 10.5 million tons for the year. Gains in coal, grain, and iron ore led the way and shipments are expected to remain steady going into the final month of the shipping season.

“We are handling about 20 percent more cargo since the Cleveland Cliffs HBI plant went into production at the Port of Toledo two years ago,” said Joseph Cappel, VP of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We will build on our new baseline by continuing to make improvements to our dock and material handling capabilities making the necessary investments that will modernize our facilities. The acquisition of a Liebherr 550 mobile harbor crane, the reconstruction of the dock wall at Midwest Terminals, a new conveyor system, and the addition of a multi-modal liquid bulk transload facility represent over $32 million in recent project investment at the Port of Toledo.”

Lake Michigan

Port Milwaukee’s docks imported multiple steel shipments and exported a grain shipment last month.

“Port Milwaukee is realizing new maritime commerce opportunities with an increase of high-value breakbulk and project cargoes,” said Jonathan Fera, spokesperson for Port Milwaukee. “With the significant level of steel shipments traveling through our terminals, Port Milwaukee stands ready to welcome and transport cargo of all kinds in supporting regional economic activity that moves the Great Lakes supply chain forward.”

Also during November, the Illinois International Port District received multiple shipments containing steel products. The final destination for many of these shipments are conveniently located within a one-day drive of Chicago.

“We’ve seen significant regional supply chain diversions this year, which has positioned Chicago as a key destination for commodities like steel, plywood, sugar, and non-ferrous metals,” said Erik A. Varela, executive director, Illinois International Port District. “Thankfully we’ve been up to the task and have been able to help deliver these commodities that uplift the region's economy.”

Lake Ontario

The Port of Oswego continued its strong year as an agricultural exporter with an outbound soybean shipment in November.

"This year has shown the immense capabilities of the Great Lakes to deliver food to the global market, and Oswego has played a significant role in that," said Bill Scriber, executive director, Port of Oswego. "November was another productive month on our docks and we look forward to finishing the 2022 year strong."