Canadian Labor Strike Halts Duluth-Superior Port, Seaway Operations

DULUTH, Minn. — A historic halt in seaway operations has sent a ripple effect throughout the system, including the Duluth-Superior Port.

“Definitely a cascading series of effects throughout the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system. It’s a system that it prides itself on reliability. And right now that reliability is being impaired by this unfortunate issue,” said Jayson Hron, communications director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

The shutdown of the seaway is a result of union workers on the Canadian side going on strike, which is the first strike-related, mid-season closure of the St. Lawrence Seaway since 1968.

The strike is preventing arriving ocean vessels from entering the Great Lakes, and preventing departing Great Lakes vessels wanting to head out to sea.

Hron said the halt is a serious financial blow to the entire seaway system. Officials estimate a shutdown costs the U.S.-Canadian economy $50 to $80 million a day, and it also affects countries waiting for our exports of food, such a grain.

“It’s a challenge. There are hungry countries around the world that are looking for our grain. And this is peak season to be able to ship it. So we’re definitely calling for the prompt resolution of this matter, we’re calling on both parties to find a resolution and to bring this matter to a close and reopen the seaway … We’ve also reached out to the Canadian Labor Board and their Canadian transportation minister, urging them to get involved and bring this to a quick resolution,” Hron said.

More than 700 vessels and 30 million short tons of cargo move through the Port of Duluth-Superior every year, making it the Great Lakes’ the largest tonnage port and one of the nation’s top 20, supporting more than 7,000 jobs.