St Lawrence Seaway August up 6.8pc on China, European coal and iron exports

THE St Lawrence Seaway August shipments were up 6.8 per cent year on year driven by Canadian and US iron and coal exports to China and Europe and China, according to the waterway authority.

The seaway handled 4.3 million tonnes and volume is up 1.5 per cent from March 22 to August 31, compared to the same period a year earlier, said the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp (SLSDC).

"The uptick in total cargo transported in August emphasised the strength of shipments of traditional commodities like iron ore and coal, and was a sound indication of the value of the seaway system," said SLSDC director Rebecca Spruill.