(OTTAWA, Ontario) — The first tonnage statistics for 2025 have been reported by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., and thus far the 67th navigation season is showing a year-over-year increase in overall traffic. As of the end of April, total traffic reached 4.5 million tonnes, representing a 3.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Grain and potash movements had a particularly strong start to the year, with more than 1.5 million tonnes of grain moving over the period (a year-over-year increase of approximately 23 percent) and 155,000 tonnes of potash transiting the seaway (a year-over-year increase of approximately 43 percent.) Increases in the movements of these and other commodities like dry and liquid bulk cargoes offset lower opening traffic for other commodities.
These numbers illustrate how Canadian grain and potash producers have been stepping up to meet increased global demand for more than two years in response to changing global dynamics that include the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
A Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) member playing a huge role in the successful movement Canadian grain is the Port of Thunder Bay. The port provides access to European markets for western Canadian grain producers through the longest grain supply chain in the world. The port has engaged in a continuous evolution of its infrastructure over the past 20 years, which has included tens of millions in capital infrastructure investments that have modernized cargo-handling assets, and focused on management of heavy, oversized and project cargo.
“Our targeted investments have ensured supply chain fluidity for the Port of Thunder Bay’s growing customer base,” said Chris Heikkinen, CEO of the Port of Thunder Bay. “The 2024 shipping season was the best on record in more than 25 years, and we look forward to another big year in 2025. Our commitment to continuous development, capacity to handle multiple types of cargo, and strategic location makes Thunder Bay an ideal inbound gateway for commodities moving into northern Ontario and western Canada.”
“CMC members understand the vital roles they play in the movement of cargoes that are foundational to the needs of diverse businesses and consumers, and their dedication to best practice, lowest cost, and highest quality supports the success of trading relationships around the world,” said Jason Card, director of communications for the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “With new federal governments established this year in both Canada and the United States, we look forward to emphasizing our members’ contributions to the economy and finding ways to strengthen those contributions with sound policy and investment.”
– Chamber of Marine Commerce
