Demand for construction and manufacturing materials both domestically and internationally continued on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway through August as shipments of iron ore, steel, cement, and stone surged through the region.

According to the latest figures, St. Lawrence Seaway cargo volumes from March 22 to August 31 totaled 20.7 million metric tons, up 5.2% over the same time period in 2020.

One of the commodities leading the charge was iron ore tonnage, up nearly 30% compared to the same period in 2020.

The significant rise was partly due to an increase in Minnesota Iron Range pellets being transported from the Port of Duluth-Superior and Silver Bay to Quebec ports and then loaded onto ocean carriers for export overseas.

Year-to-date general cargo shipments were up 60%, mainly due to steel imports from European countries to cities throughout Ontario and the U.S. Great Lakes states.

Year-to-date dry bulk shipments, including stone, cement, gypsum and other materials, were up 13%. These strong cargo categories were partly offset, however, by an 18% decline in grain shipments (including both Canadian and U.S. volumes).

“Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ships and ports specialize in efficiently transporting the metals and minerals that are now fueling North America’s manufacturing rebound and general economic recovery. We expect this surge in materials through our trade corridor to continue in the coming months,” said Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.”