31.5 Million Tonnes Of Cargo Moved Till November!

Nearly four million tonnes of cargo has moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway system this year, says St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. as the 2022 shipping season nears its end.

More nuanced figures

Figures released by the seaway and a release from Chamber of Marine Commerce said more than 31.5 million tonnes of cargo moved through the 3,700-kilometre-long system through the end of November.

All cargo shipped on the waterway, which includes the 43-kilometre-long Welland Canal, was down 6.82 per cent.

General cargo was down by 22.35 per cent, coal was down 14.87 per cent, iron ore was down 10.48 per cent and all grain was down 10.39 per cent.

“The November figures are more nuanced than they seem at first glance,” said seaway president and chief executive officer Terrence Bowles in the chamber release. “For example, although the 2022 year-to-date numbers for Canadian grain are down compared to the same period in 2021, the amount of grain shipped in November 2022 is actually up 10 per cent compared to the amount shipped in November 2021.”

General cargo

He said the same can be said for general cargo.

“General cargo had a phenomenal November 2021, where it was up 71 per cent. Comparing year versus year paints a different picture,” said Bowles.

Dry bulk shipments were up 1.42 per cent, with petcoke salt, potash and dry chemicals all seeing increases of two per cent to 184 per cent.

Petroleum products, up 27.45 per cent, helped keep shipments of liquid bulk on the seaway on the plus side with an overall increase of 8.54 per cent.

The seaway saw an additional 59 vessels move through the system by the end of November, an increase of 1.71 per cent.

“Overall, the system is fluid, and we’re prepared for the big final push as indications are there should be a smooth closure of the seaway this season,” said Bowles.

Supply commitment

Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority’s (HOPA) three grain terminals were busy last month, with a seven per cent increase over last November and exports surpassing two million tonnes.

“We are proud of Canadian farmers and their commitment to supplying high-quality grain products to market,” said HOPA president and chief executive officer Ian Hamilton in the release.

He said the port authority’s mandate is to facilitate trade and ensure a reliable supply chain amid the ongoing challenges in Ukraine and fluctuations in commodity prices across North America.

“Many Ontario producers have worked through adverse growing conditions in parts of the province, but despite that, they continue to deliver an exceptional product and have been able to grow exports by six per cent year-to-date.”

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Source: Well and Tribune

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