St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation Reports Sharply Lower Traffic Volumes

Seaway traffic results for the period through April 30th now available

In the immediate wake of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 50th anniversary, the corporation is also reporting sharply lower cargo volumes and ship transits for the first four months of 2009. Reflecting the general turndown in the global economy, total transits were down more than 40 percent from this time last year, equating to a similar but more drastic reduction in tonnage of almost 44 percent. The loss of tonnage alone exceeded more than 2 million tonnes.

In terms of individual cargoes, iron ore and coal traffic has declined by about 60 percent while grain shipments remained the sole bright spot with shipments virtually identical to those achieved in the same period of 2008. MarEx readers can access the latest Seaway traffic and cargo volume figures by clicking

The SLSMC is a not-for-profit corporation responsible for the safe and efficient movement of marine traffic through the Canadian Seaway facilities, which consist of 13 of the 15 locks between Montreal and Lake Erie. The Corporation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the waterway remains a safe and well-managed system, which it shares with its American counterpart, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

For more information concerning the Seaway and insight into its future, please visit: www.greatlakes-seaway.com.