While the first-half of 2016 was tough for many due to global economic conditions, a strong fourth quarter on the St. Lawrence Seaway has spurred optimism, according to the Chamber of Marine Commerce

The 2017 St. Lawrence Seaway system shipping season got underway with last month’s opening of all sections of the inland waterway.

Chamber of Marine Commerce President Bruce Burrows said: “Certainly there was a big improvement in the last quarter of 2016 with the resurgence of iron ore pellet exports out of the U.S. and a strong grain season. We expect that positive momentum to continue with overall cargo volumes increasing this year.”

As the shipping season kicks off, the chamber and its members are keeping an eye on key legislation that is up for consideration in the U.S. Congress.

“From a regulatory perspective, it’s crucial this shipping season that we start to see some progress towards cross-border harmony for ballast water regulations,” said Burrows. “We’re hoping the U.S. bill CVIDA will pass both the House and the Senate and create one set of robust regulations for U.S. waters that are overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard and that support the importance of interstate commerce approaches being protected at the national level.