WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) has 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.
“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 t
o the hard work and resiliency of the dedicated men and women throughout the Great Lakes region port community.”
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
U.S. Department of Transportation
