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Great Lakes Alliance for Sustainable Shipping identifies collaborative opportunities

The Great Lakes Alliance for Sustainable Shipping has spent the past year analyzing limitations across the St. Lawrence Seaway and opportunities for the agricultural industry.

Michigan Soybean Committee Market Development Director Hanna Campbell tells Brownfield while ag products make up 40 percent of the cargo moved through the St. Lawrence Seaway, more transit is possible.

“It really comes down to price when you cost compare, there are times of the year, especially with the Great Lakes marine side being an industry that is closed part of the time through the year,” she explains. “What does it look like to leverage it when the Seaway is open, is it cost-competitive as well as considering this bulk versus container piece?”

Working groups this past year explored ways to improve marine industry resources to increase the movement of ag goods and the usage of sustainable fuels.

“We’ve created an interactive map,” she says has been one of the results of the group’s work. “Specifically, biodiesel fuelers, as well as folks that may not currently supply biodiesel, can go in and put up-to-date information. It pings a dot on this map interactively so folks can hop in and see exactly what blend is being offered by fuel distributors.”

Collaborators have also created marine biodiesel guides for shippers, price visibility charts, and current infrastructure assessments to find economic and sustainability opportunities.

GLASS brings together farmers, agribusinesses, and intermodal transportation sectors across the region to advance agricultural prosperity, infrastructure development, and environmental stewardship.

Brownfield interviewed Campbell during the GLASS annual meeting in Grand Rapids.