Statistics released today by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) confirm a downward trend so far in the North American waterway’s 2026 navigation season, with cumulative total cargo of 12 million tonnes representing a 5.3% decline from a year earlier. Most major commodity sectors were showing single to double digit decreases – seemingly reflecting the combined impact of difficult early season ice conditions and market trends affected by the Trump administration’s tariff warfare.
Grain, the biggest cargo sector, was down 10.6% at 3.8 million tonnes, while iron ore at 1.76 million tonnes was down nearly 4%.
Coal and general cargo were down respectively 13.7% and 9.5%.
On the other hand, dry bulk at 3.84 million tonnes was lower by under 1% and liquid bulk at 1.46 million tonnes was up nearly 1%.
(SLSMC photo)