An upward cargo trend appears to be firming up on the St. Lawrence Seaway during the 2026 navigation season, despite the impact of the Trump tariff war that has notably strongly hit steel shipments on the binational waterway. Total traffic to the end of September was up 3.49%, fueled by 20% increase in dry bulk, according to statistics released by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. Vessel transits were also up 138 at 2,719.
In the period to end September, total throughput amounted to nearly 25 million tonnes versus the year earlier 24 million tonnes. Dry bulk at over 9 million tonnes was up 1.5 million tonnes, while all other cargo categories showed declines.
All grain at 7.3 million tonnes was 3% lower than a year ago. For iron ore, the cumulative total of 3.6 million tonnes represented a 3.4% decrease. General cargo was down nearly 11% at 1.3 million tonnes, Liquid bulk was down 4% at 2.6 million tonnes.
(Photo of two CSL vessels in Welland Canal)