A freighter can move enough grain and wheat through the seaway system to make a loaf a bread for every person in New York City for a month.

The problem is - there is not enough grain and other bulk cargo moving through the waterway.

Seaway officials are hoping to change that as they look at ways to convince shipping companies to take advantage of the giant maritime highway.

"It will continue to be a bulk channel, but the issue becomes one of how can you grow the system," said Terry Johnson, the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Administrator. 
 
There are fewer ships on the water now than there were in the 1970's during the peak golden years.

Part of the problem is that the seaway has never fully recovered from a grain embargo imposed in the late 70's and early 80's.

Environmental issues like invasive species have also created problems for the struggling waterway.

Even though the seaway has handled more than 2.5 billion metric tons of cargo worth billons upon billons of dollars since opening 50 years ago, last year overall shipments of grain and other bulk commodities were down five percent.
 
However, the seaway has provided thousands of jobs both directly and through an economic spinoff, which former seaway worker and Massena Town Supervisor Gary Edwards says continues to be a bright spot during uncertain times.

"One of the big benefits that would help Massena is providing good jobs to our area," he said.
 
The seaway has also provided opportunities for local ports like Oswego and Ogdensburg.

While bulk commodity cargos have been the norm for local ports, future demand through the trade corridor now includes wind turbines.
 
Several shiploads of windmill parts passed through the Port of Ogdensburg last year, playing a small role in helping seaway tonnage top 40 million tons.

Bridge and Port Authority Industrial Devlopment Director John Rishe says the port sees a bright future ahead.

"There's a number of windmill projects coming up," he said.
 
While the new ships of the future are being built too large to transit Eisenhower or Snell locks, seaway officials are looking at ways to prevent the Great Lakes from being left behind.

One way focuses on a new container terminal being built in Canada, allowing shipping companies to move more cargo through short sea shipping.
 
Congress has also authorized funding for a 10-year overhaul to the Massena locks.

See Part 1

Also, we're having a conversation about the seaway with a blog called, strangely enough, "The Seaway Blog."

Find it here.

And if you want to add your own post or picture or video, send it to us by email at theseawayblog@gmail.com.