The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway (GLSLSS) is more than a waterway, it’s a lifeline for trade, industry, and communities across Canada and the United States. At the heart of this system is partnership that exemplifies collaboration and efficiency. HOPA Ports and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority provided an example in November, demonstrating how binational cooperation keeps goods flowing and economies thriving.
Stretching 3,700 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean deep into North America, the GLSLSS serves as an efficient, effective cargo gateway for inland markets like Hamilton-Oshawa and Duluth-Superior. This corridor delivers benefits for both nations, supporting over 355,000 jobs and generating more than $50 billion in economic activity annually.
“If the Great Lakes region were a country, its combined GDP of $6 trillion would rank as the third-largest economy in the world,” said Ian Hamilton, President and CEO of HOPA Ports.
He emphasized that as the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare to renegotiate the USMCA free trade agreement, recognizing the role of cross-border partnerships in job creation and economic prosperity for both nations is crucial. “Strengthening these relationships supports employment and drives innovation and growth along our shared border,” he said.
The Seaway’s impact reaches far beyond transportation. It connects critical industries like agri-food, construction, and manufacturing to global markets. Grain grown in Ontario is exported to countries around the world. Steel shipped through the system is transformed into bridges, office towers, and even the cars we drive. Raw materials arriving at the ports feed factories that produce household appliances, packaging for consumer goods, and components for electronics.
A recent voyage illustrates this perfectly. The Humbergracht, a Netherlands-flagged multipurpose cargo vessel, arrived at the Port of Hamilton with cargo before sailing to Duluth. There, it discharged steel and loaded grain bound for international destinations. This seamless movement underscores the strategic value of HWY H2O, the marine corridor that links ports and essential materials across the Great Lakes and around the world. Each vessel on this route replaces thousands of trucks, reducing congestion and emissions while delivering cost-effective, sustainable transport.
For HOPA and Duluth, this highlights ongoing GLSLSS collaboration. Both ports share a vision of strengthening trade networks and supporting industries that power North America’s economy. Investments in infrastructure, technology, and green shipping initiatives are ensuring that this marine highway remains future-ready. Recent efforts include expanding multimodal hubs, exploring biofuels, and advancing sustainability projects.
“Through strategic, long-term investments, we continue to support key industries and strengthen Ontario’s supply chains,” added Hamilton. “Trade isn’t just about moving goods, it’s about creating jobs, driving innovation, and building resilient economies on both sides of the border.”
As global supply chains face mounting challenges, the GLSLSS offers a competitive advantage: reliability, capacity, and connectivity. It’s a system that moves more than 135 million metric tons of cargo annually, linking inland producers to overseas markets with efficiency.
“When ports across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway work together as one connected system, it creates a virtuous circle for the port communities, the regions they serve and North America as a whole,” said Kevin Beardsley, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “It also makes the waterway increasingly attractive to shippers and vessel operators seeking cost-effective access to inland markets, which strengthens competitiveness for the entire North American supply chain.”
When ports collaborate across borders, they unlock meaningful advantages for trade and regional prosperity. The relationship between HOPA Ports and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority shows how coordinated efforts can strengthen supply chains, support economic growth, and build lasting connections between communities and industries. It’s a reminder that when ports work together, everyone benefits.
