The St. Lawrence Seaway has opened two weeks early because of the lack of ice this past winter. The seaway gives the Port of Cleveland — the closest major U.S. port of call — international access for freighters exporting steel and machinery and for imports coming to the region. The season's first ship is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Cleveland on March 30. Last year's first freighter was scheduled to arrive April 7 but was delayed because of too much ice (wksu).