Seaway Shipping Season Begins
The international shipping season is underway along the St. Lawrence Seaway, which includes the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. The port recently reported its second-highest level of cargo tonnage in more than two decades in 2015.
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor says it handled 2.8 million tons of cargo in 2015, driven in part by increased heavy-lift project cargoes, limestone, carbon products and oils. Port leaders say, while steel shipments were below 2014 levels, they remained ahead of the five-year average.
?Earlier this year, Governor Mike Pence called on the Ports of Indiana to "vigorously explore" the possibility of a fourth state port.
The Seaway’s 58th navigation season began with the transit of Canada Steamship Lines’ Thunder Bay carrying a load of road salt. Chief Executive Officer Terrence Bowles says warmer weather is allowing the Seaway to open earlier, giving clients "the opportunity to move cargo in a timely manner, and make the most of the navigation season."
Bowles says a rebound in Canadian manufacturing, a solid U.S. economy and the potential for more European trade could boost Seaway tonnage in 2016.