The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System provides a safe, efficient and reliable commercial waterborne connection between the Great Lakes region of North America and foreign markets worldwide.  If the Great Lakes region were a country, it would rank as the third largest economy in the world.

Maritime commerce on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System annually sustains 227,000 U.S. and Canadian jobs, and generates $35 billion in annual business revenues, $14 billion in annual wages and salaries, and $5 billion in federal, state, provincial, and local taxes each year.  Annual commerce on the Great Lakes Seaway System typically exceeds 164 million metric tons and serves U.S. miners, farmers, factory workers, construction projects, and commercial interests, particularly those in the Great Lakes region.

Historically, the Seaway’s contribution to America’s economic engine is undeniable. Since 1959, more than 2.5 billion tons of cargo (estimated at $375 billion) have moved to and from Canada, the United States, and 50-plus nations. Almost 25 percent of Seaway traffic travels to and from overseas ports, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

For additional information  www.greatlakes-seaway.com [external link]

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