WASHINGTON, D.C. – Continued demand for iron ore, coal and general cargo for the industrial and manufacturing sectors lifted the tonnage numbers along the Great Lakes-Seaway System to 34.6 million metric tons, up 2.67 percent over 2011.

“The nearly 3 percent rise in overall tonnage handled through the Seaway in 2012 is due in part to the proven formula of ‘steel in, grain out’ as steel imports rose 12 percent in November as compared to the same month last year,” said Rebecca Spruill, St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. director of trade development.

U.S. grain shipments through the Seaway were up 48 percent in November while year-to-date grain shipments were down 20 percent to 1.2 million metric tons.

Year-to-date figures for iron ore were up 15 percent to 9.4 million metric tons; coal shipments were up 25 percent to 4.2 million metric tons; salt shipments were up 1.2 percent to 2.3 million metric tons; and general cargo, including wind turbine equipment, was up 12 percent to 1.9 million metric tons.