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Lakes Coal News

23 Jan 2015

Great Lakes Coal Falls Short in 2014

Photo: LCA

Despite a nearly 1-million ton increase in coal shipments on the Great Lakes in December, the surge was not enough to enable the trade to outperform 2013, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) said, reporting that shipments for the year totaled 24.5 million tons, a slight decrease compared to 2013. The December surge was possible because heavy ice did not form on the Lakes until January of this year. Shipments totaled 3.1 million tons, an increase of 43 percent compared to a year ago…

18 Dec 2014

Great Lakes Coal Trade Slows in November

Photo: Central Marine Logistics, Inc

Coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2.6 million tons in November, a decrease of 3 percent from a year ago, as shipments were affected by weather-related delays, the Lake Carriers’ Association reported. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.5 million tons, a slight decrease from a year ago, while loadings on Lake Michigan totaled 209,000 tons, a decrease of 33 percent compared to a year ago. Lake Erie was the one port range to register an increase, with loadings totaling 840,000 tons, an increase of 9 percent.

19 Nov 2014

Great Lakes Coal Up 9% in October

photo courtesy Midwest Energy Resources Company

Coal shipments on the Great Lakes topped 3 million tons in October, an increase of 9 percent compared to a year ago, while shipments also outpaced the month’s long-term average by 75,000 tons, the Lake Carriers’ Association reported. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.7 million tons, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to a year ago, and a slight increase over the month’s long-term average. Loadings on Lake Michigan totaled 267,000 tons, a decrease of 35 percent compared to a year ago, and 24.2 percent below the month’s long-term average.

23 Oct 2014

Great Lakes Coal up More Than 12% in September

Lake Carriers’ Association reported that coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million tons in September, an increase of more than 12 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings were, however, 6.5 percent below the month’s long-term average. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.7 million tons, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to a year ago, but well off the month’s long-term average. Loadings on Lake Michigan totaled 250,000 tons, a decrease of 5 percent compared to a year ago, and 26 percent below the month’s long-term average. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 1 million tons, an increase of nearly 28 percent compared to a year ago, and 8.3 percent better than the month’s long-term average.

10 Sep 2014

Great Lakes Coal Down 18% in August

Coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2.6 million tons in August, a decrease of 18 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by nearly 19 percent. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1,542,703 tons, a decrease of 28 percent compared to a year ago, and a drop of 20 percent compared to the month’s long-term average. Loadings on Lake Michigan totaled 196,413 tons, a decrease of 34 percent compared to a year ago, and some 38 percent off the month’s long-term average.

29 May 2014

Ice Took Heavy Toll on Lakes Coal in April

Ice formation, the likes of which have not been seen since 1994, dramatically slowed coal shipments on the Great Lakes in April. Loadings totaled only 995,000 tons, a decrease of nearly 55 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s five-year average, April shipments were down nearly 57 percent. The biggest drop came from Lake Superior ports. The only way vessels could safely cross Lake Superior in April was to be convoyed by U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers, and as a result, shipments plummeted 80 percent. It was not until May 2 that vessels were allowed to transit Lake Superior unescorted. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 1…

07 Apr 2014

Ice Stalls Resumption of Lakes Coal Trade

Photo: Central Marine Logistics, Inc.

Ice, reportedly more than 4 feet thick in places, effectively stalled the resumption of the coal trade on the Great Lakes in March, the Lake Carriers’ Association said. Only three coal cargos were loaded: one on Lake Superior, one on Lake Michigan and one on Lake Erie. Combined, the cargos totaled 102,000 tons, a decrease of 70 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s five-year average, March loadings were down more than 80 percent. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 475…

13 Feb 2014

Lakes Coal Trade Well Below Long Term Average

According to data compiled by the Lake Carriers’ Association, coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 373,000 tons in January. While the total represents an increase of 62 percent compared to a year ago, January 2013 was well below previous years, and even this January’s total is 25 percent below the month’s long-term average. The harsh weather did limit coal shipments in January, the Lake Carriers’ Association said. Vessels experienced significant delays due to heavy ice on the Lakes and slower loads at some docks.  lcaships.com

24 Jan 2014

Weather Harms Great Lakes Cargo Totals

Photo by Rod Burdick

Significant weather and ice delays and cancelled cargos limited U.S.-flag cargo movement on the Great Lakes to just 7.1 million tons in December and as a result, the fleet’s year-end total slipped to 89.2 million tons, a decrease of 0.4 percent compared to 2012. Iron ore cargos carried in U.S.-flag lakers totaled 43.9 million tons in 2013, a decrease of 3 percent compared to 2012. Those cargos represented 75.2 percent of all the iron ore moved on the system last year. Through November…

22 Jan 2014

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 2.8% in 2013

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 24.6 million tons in 2013, a decrease of 2.8 percent compared to 2012. Some of the decrease can be attributed to the early onset of winter in December, which lead to a 17-percent decrease in loadings on Lake Superior. Individual cargos were further reduced toward the end of the month when vessels voluntarily lightened their drafts to ease transits through an ice-clogged stretch of the St. Marys River that connects Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes. One 1,000-foot-long vessel experienced a 4,474-ton reduction in payload when its first and last cargos of December were compared. For the year, coal loadings at Lake Superior terminals totaled 15 million tons, a decrease of 62,000 tons compared to 2012.

19 Dec 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 7.3% in November

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.7 million tons in November, a decrease of 7.3 percent compared to a year ago, and well below – 35.2 percent – the month’s long-term average. Shipments were also 4.1 percent less than October’s tally of 2.8 million tons. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 9.2 percent compared to a year ago. Coal transshipped from Superior, Wisconsin, to Québec City, Québec, for loading into oceangoing colliers totaled 129,000 tons. Exports to Europe from Superior total 1,504,000 tons through November. In 2012, Superior’s overseas exports for the same period totaled 1,252,000 tons. Loadings in Chicago totaled 314,000 tons, a decrease of 11.6 percent compared to a year ago.

13 Nov 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Up Slightly in October

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association.

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.8 million tons in October, an increase of 92,000 tons compared to a year ago. Shipments were up 135,000 tons compared to September. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.7 million tons, a slight increase (54,000 tons) compared to a year ago. Coal transshipped from Superior, Wisconsin, to Québec City, Québec, for loading into oceangoing colliers totaled 122,000 tons. Exports to Europe from Superior total 1,376,000 tons through October. In 2012, Superior’s overseas exports totaled 1,173,000 tons through October.

24 Oct 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Falls 13% in September

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.7 million tons in September, a decrease of 13% from a year ago and the preceding month. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 13.5% compared to a year ago.  Coal transshipped from Superior, Wisconsin, to Québec City, Québec, for loading into oceangoing colliers totaled 96,000 tons.  Exports to Europe from Superior total 1,253,000 tons through September. Loadings in Chicago totaled 262,000 tons, a decrease of 13% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 777,000 tons, a decrease of 11.7% compared to a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 17 million tons, a decrease of 3% compared to a year ago.

13 Sep 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Up in August

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3.2 million tons in August, an increase of 9.9% over July, and an increase of 11.1% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 2.1 million tons, an increase of 31.4% compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 313,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin, and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Exports to Europe from Superior total 1,157,000 tons through August. Loadings in Chicago totaled 296,000 tons, a decrease of 22% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 752,000 tons, a decrease of 12.5% compared to a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 14.3 million tons, a decrease of 1% compared to a year ago.

09 Aug 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Up 7.3% in July

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.9 million tons in July, an increase of 2.5% over June, and an increase of 7.3% compared to a year ago. This marks the second straight month trade rises. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.8 million tons, an increase of 16.1% compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 215,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Exports to Europe from Superior total 844,000 tons through July. Loadings in Chicago totaled 319,000 tons, a decrease of 33% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 758,000 tons, an increase of 15.2% compared to a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 11.1 million tons, a decrease of 3% compared to a year ago.

23 Jul 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Up 7.2% in June

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.8 million tons in June, an increase of 9.2% over May, and an increase of 7.2% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.8 million tons, an increase of nearly 20% compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 93,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin, and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Exports to Europe from Superior total 630,000 tons through June. Loadings in Chicago totaled 250,000 tons, a decrease of nearly 40% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 800,000 tons, an increase of 9% compared to a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 8.2 million tons, a decrease of 7.3% compared to a year ago.

11 Jun 2013

Lakes Coal Trade Down 11.3 Percent in May

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.6 million tons in May, a decrease of 11.3% compared to a year ago.     Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.6 million tons, just slightly below the level of a year ago.  Included in that total were 250,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin, and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Exports to Europe from Superior total 536,000 tons through May. Loadings in Chicago totaled 300,000 tons, a decrease of approximately 75,000 tons compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 650,000 tons, a decrease of 25% compared to a year ago.   Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 5.4 million tons, a decrease of 13.5% compared to a year ago.

17 May 2013

Great Lakes April Coal Shipments Unchanged from a Year Ago

Photo: LCA

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.2 million tons in April, a virtual tie with a year ago. The trade was 19 percent below the month’s five-year average, however. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.4 million tons, a slight increase from a year ago. Included in that total were 168,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Loadings in Chicago totaled 300,000 tons, again a slight increase compared to last year.

17 Aug 2012

Great Lakes Coal-carrier Refloated

Photo credit Interlake Shipping Company

Salvage experts successfully refloated the freighter 'Paul R. Tregurtha' from downbound channel St. Mary's River. Two tugs with a combined 4,000 horsepower, moved the stern of the ship into the middle of the channel. This enabled salvage experts to successfully raise the ship’s bow by filling stern voids which reduced the amount of forward weight on the rocks. The vessel was cleared to proceed to anchorage near Detour, Mich., where the owners, the Coast Guard marine inspectors…

11 Sep 2012

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 3 Percent in August

File Photo: Great Lakes Bulker

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.9 million tons in August, an increase of 6 percent compared to July, but a drop of 3 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s 5-year average, loadings were down 25 percent. Overseas shipments continued in August. Coal shipped to Québec City for reloading into oceangoing vessels totaled 196,000 tons. For the season, the overseas trade totals 980,000 tons. Water levels and the dredging crisis impacted the coal trade in August.

10 Oct 2012

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 10-Plus Percent in September

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3,049,705 tons in September, an increase of 6.3 percent compared to August, but a drop of 10.1 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s 5-year average, loadings were down 14.5 percent. Overseas shipments from Superior, Wisconsin, continued in September. Coal shipped to Québec City for reloading into oceangoing vessels totaled 192,000 tons. For the season, the overseas trade from Superior Midwest Energy Terminal totals 1,173,000 tons.

20 Nov 2012

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 11 Percent in October

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.7 million tons in October, a decrease of 11.6 percent compared to September, and a drop of 11 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s 5-year average, loadings were down 25.3 percent. Loadings at Lake Superior ports rose by 5.5 percent, but shipments from Lake Michigan and Lake Erie terminals decreased by 33.4 and 26.1 percent respectively. There were no overseas shipments from Superior, Wisconsin, in October. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 20.2 million tons…

09 Jan 2013

Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 8.2 Percent in 2012

File Photo: Great Lakes Bulk Carrier

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 25,347,709 tons in 2012, a decrease of 8.2 percent compared to 2011. The trade was 25 percent off its 5-year average. Shipments from Lake Superior ports - 15.1 million tons - were just about even with 2011. Included in that total were 1.3 million tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Loadings at Chicago terminals totaled 3.2 million tons, a decrease of 14.5 percent from 2011, but a slight increase over their 5-year average.