Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down in June

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 6 million tons in June, a decrease of 6% compared to May, and a drop of 7% compared to a year ago.  Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by 4.4%.

Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.3 million tons, a decrease of 6.7%compared to a year ago. The June total included 305,000 tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Year-to-date overseas exports total 1,057,000 tons.

Shipments from Canadian ports to Great Lakes destinations totaled 753,000 tons, a decrease of 9.5% compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, the Lakes ore trade stands at 23.2 million tons, a decrease of 8.1%compared to a year ago. Loadings are 3.4% below the long-term average for the first half of the year.

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.