Windsor Port Authority reports increased shipments, cruise visits

The Windsor Port Authority has reported a strong increase in foreign ship activity during the early months of the shipping season.

This year to date, local ports have seen steel shipments increase by 70 per cent, cement is up 89 per cent, corn up 130 per cent and soya meal up 427 per cent. Corn and soya exports were destined for England and Ireland.

Salt, which is carried on domestic ships to North American markets, is running even in comparison with 2021, while aggregates are catching up after a late spring thaw at the northern quarries.

The local port has also reported a strong return of Great Lakes cruise ships with a Viking vessel making its first docking and another dozen visits expected this summer by various cruise operations.

Overall, Canadian Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway shipping improved in May, strengthened by agricultural-related exports to Europe, plus steel imports and shipments of oversized project cargo like wind turbines for regional energy projects.

“The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway has served as a reliable and cost-effective international trade conduit for North American farmers and manufacturers this spring amidst continuing global chaos in other supply chains,” said Terence Bowles, CEO of the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“At the same time, some of our key domestic cargos such as refined liquid bulk that support Canadian air travel and ground transportation are bouncing back after pandemic-related decreases during the past two years.”

Overall cargo tonnage shipments (from March 22 to May 31) via the St. Lawrence Seaway totalled 7.6 million tonnes, down 10.8 per cent compared to 2021, but has been gaining ground in comparison to April following a slow start to the season due to ice conditions in Lake Superior.