Leading industries in the provincial and national economy count on the Ontario Marine sector in transportation of their raw materials and finished goods. Major Ontario users/commodities that depend on water transportation include:

• Steel industry – iron ore, coal, coke
• Aggregates and construction materials – sand, limestone, crushed limestone, gypsum, cement
• Power generation – coal
• Agriculture – potash, grain, corn, oil seeds
• Petroleum products
• Road salt