The Feasibility of Containerization in The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System

Author

Nick Edwards

Date of Award

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The use of waterways to transport goods has always been a staple of civilization dating back to some of our earliest days. And throughout history it has always played a pivotal role in our economies and affected the very way in which our civilizations developed. Perhaps one of the world's most important waterways is the Great Lakes that lie directly in the heart of the North American continent and connect the heartland of North America to the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, providing a vital mode of transportation for shipping a variety of products from North America’s heartland to the rest of the world. The Great Lakes are also strategic for the transportation of domestic products, providing a way for producers to move goods from state to state without relying on truck or rail transportation. Around the rest of the world, it is no different as global trade has become an increasingly more important part of our daily lives. This has only become more true with the introduction of containerization, something that has revolutionized the shipping industry and brought about a dramatic change. The result of that is that shipping using the world’s oceans and waterways has become increasingly more important than ever before. Furthermore, the revolution that containerization has brought about has led some to ponder the possibility of introducing container shipping into the Great Lakes. Well, this may be an intriguing possibility as it could bring new found economic advantages, one must first ask what is the true feasibility of introducing containerization into the Great Lakes. Even if it were to be introduced would it truly be able to serve in an effective manner and operate in the same manner as containerization has around the rest of the world.

Recommended Citation

Edwards, Nick, "The Feasibility of Containerization in The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System" (2021). Political Science Theses and Capstones. 31.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/capstone-polisci/31