Contact: gls@dot.gov

Trump’s Transportation Department Awards Nine Great Lakes Ports for

Moving Record Volume of International Cargo in 2025

Award winners collectively moved more than 4 million metric tons through
Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System in 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) today awarded nine U.S. ports in the Great Lakes the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for shipping a record volume of international cargo last year. The award-winners collectively moved more than 4 million metric tons of international freight—27% of the international freight traveling through the Great Lakes in 2025.

“The Great Lakes are critical arteries that keep our supply chains moving, our shelves stocked, and American companies in business,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Under President Trump, our inland waterways—and the American workers who rely on them—will never be taken for granted.” 

“Congratulations to the nine Great Lakes ports being recognized as GLS Pacesetter Award recipients for their achievements during the 2025 Seaway navigation season,” said GLS Administrator Mike McCoshen. “The sustained level of high performance is a testament not only to the Seaway System’s importance as a maritime supply chain, but also to the hard work and resiliency of the dedicated men and women throughout the Great Lakes region port community.”

Additional Information:

The Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award was established in 1992 to recognize the U.S. ports that have increased international tonnage shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The nine U.S. ports earning the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for 2025 are: 

• Port of Buffalo (NY) – increased tonnage movement by 132% through the Seaway System
• Conneaut Port Authority (OH) – increased tonnage movement by 11% through the Seaway System
• Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (PA) – increased tonnage movement by 1% through the Seaway System
• Port Green Bay (WI) – increased tonnage movement by 145% through the Seaway System
• Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor (IN) – increased tonnage movement by 5.83% through the Seaway System
• Lorain Port and Finance Authority (OH) – increased tonnage movement by 15.37% through the Seaway System
• Port Milwaukee (WI) – increased tonnage movement by 78% through the Seaway System
• Port of Monroe (MI) – increased tonnage movement by 100% through the Seaway System
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority (OH) – increased tonnage movement by 7.36% through the Seaway System

Under U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. GLS ensures the safe and efficient movement of cargo, and is a driving force for economic growth in the U.S. Great Lakes region, supporting more than 147,000 U.S. jobs and generating $26 billion in annual U.S. economic activity. Visit seaway.dot.gov for more information.

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