Cargo & Commodities
Each year, millions of tons of materials are shipped efficiently through the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. This section covers the various bulk cargo, from iron ore and petroleum to stone and cement, being transported along the system.
Cargo Volumes Down Despite Increased Vessel Activity on the St. Lawrence Seaway
Cargo volumes on the St. Lawrence Seaway remained below last year’s pace through June, although vessel traffic continued to increase, reflecting a mixed start to the 2026 navigation season. According... Read More
Great Lakes Limestone and Iron Ore Trade Up in June
U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million tons in June, an increase of 4.5% compared to June 2025. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), this... Read More
St. Lawrence Seaway Cargo Traffic Down 3.3% Through May
The St. Lawrence Seaway reported a decline in overall cargo traffic through May 2026, with total cargo volumes down 3.3% compared with the same period in 2025. According to monthly... Read More
The Enduring Value of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway
The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway remains one of North America’s most strategically important trade corridors, quietly underpinning economic activity across the industrial Midwest while connecting the heartland of the United States to global... Read More
68th Navigation Season Underway Amid Economic Challenges and Uncertainty
Cargo is moving on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway despite a slow start to the 2026 navigation season. Geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty and ice buildup on the upper Great Lakes... Read More
St. Lawrence Seaway Cargo Traffic Down Nearly 7% Through April
Cargo shipments on the St. Lawrence Seaway were down 6.79% through April compared with the same period in 2025, according to monthly traffic figures released by the St. Lawrence Seaway... Read More
Phase II Expansion Completed at DeLong Agricultural Export Facility in Milwaukee
Soybean farmer leaders presented a ceremonial $200,000 check March 31 in Milwaukee to support the Phase II expansion of the Agriculture Maritime Export Facility at Port Milwaukee. The facility, owned... Read More
Great Lakes Ports Mark Start of 2026 International Shipping Season
The Ocean7 Ranger arrived at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor on April 4, marking the official start of the 2026 international shipping season. The vessel completed a 52-day voyage to deliver... Read More
St. Lawrence Seaway Cargo Traffic Holds Steady During 2025 Navigation Season
Cargo traffic through the St. Lawrence Seaway remained largely unchanged during the 2025 navigation season, with increases in grain shipments offsetting declines in several other cargo categories. The system handled 36.9 million metric tons of... Read More
Advancing Agricultural Prosperity Among Great Lakes Shippers and Suppliers
Meeting for the second time in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Dec. 4, 2025, the Great Lakes Alliance for Sustainable Shipping (GLASS) drew more than 80 attendees from across the Midwest agriculture and transportation industries. Those attending included trucking companies, marine... Read More
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Nearly Matches January 2025
Iron Ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2 million tons in January. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, this total is a near match to 2025. Loadings were below... Read More