Seaway offers alternative outlet

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.

“This year we”re up 10% on US grain out of the Lakes in the first quarter and this has helped provide back-hauls for ships coming in with steel and other cargo. What we have to do is make that stick.

“People need to see that if you put all your eggs in one basket then, like last year, you can come unstuck. We think we’re a good alternative for many cargoes. ” Total cargo shipped through the Seaway in the first quarter totalled some 16.2m tonnes, a rise of 15.4%. As with the Mississippi River System, the steel sector continues to drive traffic levels as domestic mills buy in more coal and iron ore, and product imports arrive in ever higher volumes from suppliers in Russia, South Korea, Egypt, Germany and China.

The booming steel business combined with the availability of back-haul grain cargoes, has been the key factor in attracting 30% more ocean-going vessels to the Seaway this year, says Mr Corfe.