Policy & Compliance
Duluth Minnesota, the furthest inland port in the world
Push to boost the Great Lakes Seaway as a UK-US trade route
The UK and US authorities, along with various ports, are promoting the Great Lakes Seaway as an easy option for exporters, as well as reducing carbon emissions and adding to supply chain resilience
person, and receive real time answers and support, and build key relationships. There has already been engagement including delegations visiting the UK from the US. In 2025, exporters can join the UK/US GLS Trade Route Pilot Program to ship goods via GLS. It is intended that members of the Trade Route Pilot Program will meet with carrier(s) and existing port leaders to discuss their needs prior to a US delegation visit to the UK. The pilot program members, both from the UK and US, will meet in the UK during February 2026 meeting with carriers and port operators, thus generating media attention. BIFA supports this initiative because developing trade benefits its membership and can assist in reducing carbon emissions and thus help global sustainability goals. The project is still in the development stage although it seems to have generated interest amongst shippers to/from this area. If a BIFA Member is interested in participating in this initiative they should contact Jan Bauer directly – her details are below. If you are aware of any of your clients who have business interests in this geographical area, please share this article with them. For more information contact: Jan Bauer, UK Government Office, Minnesota (MN), at jan.bauer@fcdo.gov.uk
B IFA has been approached by a UK government of fi cial in Minnesota requesting that we make Members aware of an initiative to develop a new UK to/from US trade lane. The Great Lakes Seaway (GLS) is an under-utilised international waterway that reaches the furthest inland port anywhere in the world, Duluth Minnesota. With free trade zones similar to UK free ports, and access to multiple rail spurs and ground transport, the US Great Lakes ports provide easy access to middle and western America and Canada, in a sustainable, more efficient way. The UK government, US Department of Transportation and the State of Minnesota, along with (Southampton, Liverpool, London Gateway) are keen to establish this route and support companies, freight forwarders and 3PL companies in making this an easy option for exporters, while reducing carbon emissions and adding to supply chain resilience. Some ports can currently only handle bulk/conventional cargoes, but more will develop a container capacity in the next two years. The objective of the project is to establish a regular trade route between the UK and US, utilising the US GLS ports (Duluth, Cleveland), and UK ports
the Great Lakes Seaway, that will reduce carbon emissions, enhance the flow of goods, increase opportunities for trade, and create jobs. Bene fi ts of this route: 1. Supply chain resilience and redundancy – Adding this route to your existing supply chain builds resilience and redundancy in an age of disruptions. The US plans new taxes on carriers’ Chinese vessels in their fleet. GLS vessels fall under the threshold size and are specifically excluded from this fee. 2. Sustainable – Reduce your supply chain’s carbon emissions by 40-60% using the GLS, by eliminating rail/truck to and from the US east coast ports or Canadian ports. 3. Reduced shipping time – Duluth to the UK is only two weeks versus four to six weeks, while Cleveland to UK is eight to ten days versus three to four weeks, using east coast ports. 4. Cash is king – The faster movement of goods to client is believed to facilitate faster payments. 5. Boutique Ports = white-glove service – Smaller ports provide a white-glove service, unlike large ports. Call, get a real
“ It is intended that members of the Trade Route Pilot Program will meet with carrier(s) and existing port leaders to discuss their needs prior to a US delegation visit to the UK
10 | October 2025
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