Despite the healthy jump, however, Mr Corfe had expected the figure to be even higher because of the supply chain fall-out of last year's devastating hurricanes. "We saw a big increase last fall, but we expected to see more diversions because of the challenges on the Mississippi River. " Making shippers aware that the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway offer a viable outlet for US grain exports to some markets is something all the players in the trade - including load ports - must help address, he adds.