The St. Lawrence Seaway saw cargo numbers fall sharply last year, as trade tensions and record water levels teamed up with harsh weather to hurt traffic.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. says shipping dropped nearly seven per cent to about 38 million tonnes in 2019 — a notable dip from the 10-year high of 2018.

Seaway authority CEO Terence Bowles says trade friction with the U.S. dented shipments, but hopes the pending ratification of Canada's new free-trade pact with the U.S. and Mexico will boost numbers this year.