Page 7: of Marine News Magazine (July 2026)

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cussions with Canada to reduce or eliminate Seaway tolls. Shipyards require commercial vessel activity to support

Four decades later, the United States continues to provide investment, workforce development, construction, con- toll-free access through its portion of the system while version, and repair. Carriers require cargo volume to justify

Canada continues to collect its share. investment in new Great Lakes-capable vessels. Cargo that

That difference harms U.S. Great Lakes ports. Canada moves away from direct Great Lakes service reduces com- earns revenue from cargo moving to and from American mercial demand for the maritime industrial base that the ports while the United States provides access through its United States is trying to rebuild.

portion of the system without imposing a comparable Seaway toll parity would complement existing U.S. mar- charge. The revenue is small in the Canadian economy. itime policy by improving the economics of cargo move-

The cost to vessel operators and cargo owners can reach ment, thereby supporting American ports, American ship- hundreds of thousands of dollars per voyage. yards, American maritime labor, and investment in Great

The Seaway has physical limits, and not every vessel can Lakes-capable vessels. Canadian tolls work against those use it. For vessels that can use the system, Canadian tolls goals. They make U.S. Great Lakes ports more expensive to increase the cost of reaching U.S. Great Lakes ports. Bulk serve and slow the development of a transportation system commodities, steel, grain, project cargo, breakbulk cargo, that should move American commerce more ef? ciently.

and other industrial cargo already move through the Seaway A nation serious about reindustrialization does not leave on vessels built for its dimensions. Feeder-scale container its industrial heartland at the far end of a toll road operated service into the Great Lakes remains a practical growth op- by another country.

portunity. Canadian tolls add a cost that makes existing Canadian Seaway tolls raise the cost of serving U.S. cargo harder to retain and new service harder to build. Great Lakes ports, manufacturers, farmers, and shipyards.

Canadian tolls also make the route harder to sell. Tolls The revenue generated for Canada is modest. The burden vary by vessel, cargo, and voyage. When a port cannot give imposed on American commerce is substantially larger. a carrier a quick answer on the cost of reaching a Great Seaway toll parity should be placed on the agenda of the

Lakes destination, uncertainty becomes part of the barrier. U.S.-Canada trade discussions now underway.