WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Great Lakes ports reported an increase in tonnage during the summer, according to the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp.
Throughout the system, tonnage was up 22 million metric tons in August, some 3.5 percent, from last year.
The increase was noticed at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, which reported the biggest tonnage in August and its second highest monthly total since 2007. “The port enjoyed one of its best years on record,” said Port Director Peter Laman. “This August, tonnage was up 40 percent from last year this time. Overall we’re up 24 percent year-to-date due primarily to increases in fertilizer, steel, and limestone, as well as new coal shipments.
“Indiana’s economy depends heavily upon our Lake Michigan connections to ocean vessels via the St. Lawrence Seaway, lake carriers transiting the Soo Locks, and river barges moving through the Chicago Area Waterway System,” said Laman. “These waterways move vital goods to and from businesses throughout the Midwest and generate more than 100,000 jobs for Indiana.”
