Economic Impact Study

Purpose

The 2018 study Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region provides the navigation community, transportation planners, government policy makers, and the general public with a realistic assessment of the contributions made by the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region to the state, provincial, regional and national economies. 

Results

• Cargo moved on the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System in 2017 totaled 143.5 million metric tons valued at US$15.2 billion/C$19.8 billion. This waterborne commerce supported 237,868 U.S. and Canadian jobs and generated $35 billion/C$45.4 billion in economic activity, US$14.2 billion/C$18.5 billion in total personal wage and salary income and local consumption expenditures, US$8 billion/C$10.3 billion in local purchases, and US$6.6 billion/C$8.6 billion in federal, state/provincial, and local tax revenue.
• Commerce transiting the binational St. Lawrence Seaway waterway and lock system supported 92,661 U.S. and Canadian jobs and $12.9 billion/C$16.8 billion in economic activity.
• The Soo Locks, which connect Lake Superior with the lower four Great Lakes, supported 123,172 jobs in the U.S. and Canada and $22.6 billion/C$29.3 billion in economic activity.

Click to learn more about the Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region  report:

• Executive Summary
• Full Report