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Ice Blockade Halves March Lakes Shipping

Ice formations, the likes of which have not been seen in decades, severely limited cargo movement in U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes in March. Shipments of iron ore, coal and cement in “lakers” totaled 980,000 tons, a decrease of 55 percent compared to a year ago. Some of the cargo that was loaded in March was not delivered until April 7 or later. Iron ore cargos totaled 827,000 tons, a decrease of 47 percent compared to a year ago.