GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY: VITAL LINK GETS A MAKEOVER

摘要

The great lakes-saint lawrence seaway system provides a vital deep draft link to the North American heartland, allowing the movement of 164 million metric tonnes of cargo on an annual basis. Commodities such as iron ore for steel, coal, wheat, cement, limestone and even road salt are carried by a fleet of "Lakers" and "Salties," depending on whether they are destined for domestic consumption or export. The cargo handled by ports along the system generates $34.6 billion in annual revenues and supports 227,000 jobs in Canada and the U.S. Stretching more than 2,300 miles, the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway System is the longest deep draft navigation system in the world, drawing both freshwater Laker operators that fly the U.S. or Canadian flag, or oceangoing tonnage. The Lake Carriers Association says its U.S.-flag vessel operators control a fleet of 57 self-propelled vessels and tug-barge units that carry more than 115 million tons of cargo on an annual basis. Their Canadian flag counterparts in the Canadian Shipowners Association control over 80 vessels.