- Marine transportation is the cornerstone of an integrated and reliable supply chain that grows Ontario’s economy, and engagements help realize the full potential of our industry
- General cargo was down 24.93 per cent, followed by dry bulk at 16.12 per cent and liquid bulk at 11.66 per cent.
- Figures released by the seaway show nearly eight million tonnes of cargo moved through the system by the end of May.
Ontario’s marine sector contributes $10 billion in economic activity and $3.9 billion in annual income while supporting 70,000 jobs, both on ship and onshore, in the province, says the Ontario Marine Council.
Province’s marine economy
An industry association, it represents stakeholders in Ontario’s marine sectors, including port operators, shipyards, ship owners, and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.
Its goal is to ensure the province’s marine economy, which contributes $1.9 billion in municipal, federal and provincial tax revenue, realizes its full economic, environmental and social potential, it said in a release.
Advancing environmental sustainability
With Ontario home to some of the largest commercial ports on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, the marine council recently held Marine Day at Queen’s Park and met with all provincial political parties to advance economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“Marine transportation is the cornerstone of an integrated and reliable supply chain that grows Ontario’s economy, and engagements like this help realize the full potential of our industry,” said Maguessa Morel-Laforce, the marine council’s executive director in the release.
He said the industry looks forward to completing the first-ever Ontario Marine Transportation Strategy by the end of this year.
Vital link in global supply chain
The province is also home to ship operating and shipbuilding companies, and the marine council said there are unique opportunities to enhance Ontario’s position as a destination, a gateway to North America’s industrial heartland, and a vital link in the global supply chain.
“This unprecedented engagement between industry and political leaders helped identity, prioritize, and plan for these opportunities, which in turn helps inform the development of a first-ever Ontario Marine Transportation Strategy,” said the release.
Steve Salmons, marine council chair and president and chief executive officer of the Windsor Port Authority, said the event was a step in developing government policies and programs that help build a resilient, environmentally sustainable, and competitive supply chain.
“Our industry greatly appreciates the tremendous level of engagement we now have with the government of Ontario, and looks forward to building on this work in ways that create jobs, achieve environmental goals, and grow the economy,” said Salmons.
Eight million tonnes of cargo moved
While shipping industry representatives met with provincial politicians, vessels continued to move cargo across the 3,700-kilometre-long Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system.
Figures released by the seaway show nearly eight million tonnes of cargo moved through the system by the end of May.
That’s down 2.97 per cent compared to the same time last year but up 3.3 per cent compared to figures released for March-April.
By the end of March-April, coal shipments on the Great Lakes had increased 134.3 per cent and that trend continued this May, with shipments increasing 9.96 per cent, 208,000 tonnes more than last year at the same time.
Grain saw an increase of 9.96 per cent, 208,000 tonnes more than last year, followed closely by iron ore shipments at 141,000 more tonnes, a 9.93 per cent increase.
Uncertainty regarding economic outlook
“While the year began with uncertainty regarding the economic outlook, Canadian farms are feeding the world in the face of global unrest, shippers are responding to needs created by resilient consumer demand, and the seaway is there as always to meet the needs of our customers,” said seaway president and chief executive officer Terence Bowles in a release through the Chamber of Marine Commerce
General cargo was down 24.93 per cent, followed by dry bulk at 16.12 per cent and liquid bulk at 11.66 per cent.
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Source: The Star
