Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Declines in July

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 6.4 million tons in July, an increase of 7% compared to June, but a drop of 8.2% compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by 6.5%.

Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.7 million tons, a decrease of 5.2% compared to a year ago. The July total included 490,000 tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Year-to-date overseas exports total 1,550,000 tons.

Shipments from Canadian ports to Great Lakes destinations totaled 775,000 tons, a decrease of 20.1% compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, the Lakes iron ore trade stands at 29.6 million tons, a decrease of 8.1% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 4.1% below the long-term average for the January-July timeframe.

Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation’s economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation, as well as salt, sand and grain. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo per year.

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