In 2025, the St. Lawrence Seaway recorded a notable reduction in general cargo handled. Despite this decline, the total tonnage moving through the waterway remained consistent with 2024 figures. This stability was primarily attributed to a significant increase in bulk cargo volumes, which compensated for the general cargo downturn.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this trend suggests a potential shift in the types of goods being transported via the St. Lawrence Seaway. While bulk commodities like grains, iron ore, or coal may see robust demand, forwarders handling project cargo, steel products, or other non-containerized general cargo might need to explore alternative routing or anticipate reduced capacity and frequency for such shipments on this specific route. It could also indicate a broader economic shift affecting manufacturing or construction sectors that typically utilize general cargo services.
