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Soy Transportation Coalition highlights opportunities and obstacles for Great Lakes exports

The Soy Transportation Coalition executive director says transportation barriers somewhat limit efforts to increase ag exports through the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway.

Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield, “You can have this aspiration to export more or import more via the Great Lakes, but ultimately there has to be some kind of movement with the track to either get it to that facility or take it from that facility to its ultimate destination.”

He points to challenges with insurance regulations.

“I hear this quite frequently within the transportation sector, that being able to stay in business, the ability to be profitable is not just a function of the fundamentals of the business itself, the economics of the business, but whether or not you can get insurance,” he shares.

Steenhoek says the Delong Company’s export facility in Milwaukee is a prime example of growth opportunities.

“We think that can increase,” he says. “We’re seeing that, and we think there are opportunities to continue to do that in the future elsewhere on the system.”

The Soy Transportation Coalition has a Gateway Incentive Agreement with the Seaway for a 50 percent reduction in tolls for ag exporters moving new freight through the Great Lakes.

Steenhoek was a featured speaker during the recent Great Lakes Alliance for Sustainable Shipping meeting.