GLIN==> October Seaway statistics

Description: MD logo

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura M. Blades

 
202-558-5123

 

Seaway Cargo Shipments Up 17.5%

Upward trend continues with surge in iron ore, coal and grain exports

 

Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2010) - Cargo shipments through the St.
Lawrence Seaway continue to show improvement as the current season comes to
an end. An increase in Canadian exports of grains out of Ontario and Quebec,
along with demand for construction materials and general cargo shipments
boosted October's numbers.

 

The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that total year-to-date shipments reached
27.1 million metric tons through October 31, an increase of 17.5 percent
over the same period in 2009. Year-to-date shipments of iron ore for 2010
were up 52.6 percent to 7.9 million metric tons compared to last year, while
coal tonnage has increased by 22 percent to 2.8 million metric tons. Total
grain shipments have increased by 4 percent to 5.9 million metric tons.

 

Bulk materials, which include among other items construction materials such
as stone, cement and gypsum, increased by 11 percent to 1.5 million metric
tons in October compared to the same month in 2009. General cargo (which is
comprised of steel slabs, coils and project cargo like wind power
components) rose by 27 percent compared to the same month in 2009.

 

These upward trends are reflected in U.S. port activities. The Toledo-Lucas
County Port Authority reported overall tonnage up 20 percent over the 2009
season led by a nearly 46 percent increase in iron ore and a 27 percent
increase in coal shipments. 

 

"The Port of Toledo has had a much stronger season this year over last and
we continue to anticipate a strong finish to this season," said Paul L.
Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. "Midwest
Terminals of Toledo, our general cargo facility, unloaded project cargo for
Toledo's BP Husky refinery this season and will be managing the delivery of
wind turbines this week. Unique cargo like this is exactly why we added twin
Liebherr Mobile Harbor Cranes to the equipment roster at the Port of
Toledo."

 

"The new cranes performed well on their first run unloading bulk fertilizer
earlier this summer. The LMH 280's average around 40 swings per hour, over
twice the production that could be achieved with the Port's older
equipment," added Joseph Cappel, Director of Cargo Development for the
Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. "Over the winter, spreader bars and
grapples will arrive enabling the cranes to handle pig iron, project cargo,
containers and other products." 

 

Bruce Hodgson, director of marketing for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management
Corporation, said: "Shipment numbers are continuing to remain strong
month-to-month, indicating that the season will finish well ahead of 2009.
The world demand for grains out of the U.S. and now more recently from
Ontario and Quebec has been a great boost for Seaway traffic and really
shows how vital this transportation corridor is to respond to sudden changes
in global markets."

 

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway waterway 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.  This vital trade corridor delivers
approximately $3.6 billion in annual cost savings compared to the next least
expensive mode of commercial transportation. This provides a competitive
advantage for the North American manufacturing, construction, energy and
agri-food sectors.

 

 

 

For interviews, please contact: Nancy Alcalde, Director, Congressional &
Public Relations, Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation on
202-366-0091.

 

-30-

 

 

Laura M. Blades

Director of Public Affairs

American Great Lakes Ports Association

700 12th Street, NW  Suite 700

Washington, DC 20005

T:  202-558-5123

C:  301-956-5391

blades at greatlakesports.org

 

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