The St. Lawrence Seaway reported overall gains in traditional cargoes through May with shipments of coal, grain, liquid bulk and general cargoes totaling 4.67 million metric tons, keeping Seaway traffic above the five-year average.

Year-to-date total cargo shipments from March 29 through May 31 were 7.866 million metric tons, a decrease of 3.71 percent compared to 2017 figures.

Iron ore shipments were down 24.8 percent.

While the dry bulk category decreased 18.5 percent, shipments of pig iron went up 324.4 percent, stone increased 161.8 percent and ores & concentrates cargoes were up 97.3 percent.

The Seaway’s 2018 shipping season began almost a week later than the 2017 shipping season.

Top performing cargoes through May 2018 include: Coal – 649,000 mt; a 43.4 percent increase; grain – 2,204,000 mt; an 8.58 percent increase; liquid bulk – 1,096,000 mt; a 19.4 percent increase; pig iron – 61,000 mt; a 324.4 percent increase; steel slabs – 205,000 mt; a 100.6 percent increase.

“With our 60th navigation season well underway, the Seaway continues to do what it does best – moving traditional bulk cargoes such as coal and grain, with tonnage increases posted for both,” says U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Deputy Administrator Craig H. Middlebrook. “The continued demand for raw materials to support the automotive, manufacturing and construction sectors is keeping Seaway traffic steady, and above the five-year average.”