Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.8 million tons in November, an increase of 2 percent over October, and an increase of 8 percent compared to a year ago.
November loadings were also up about 8 percent compared to the month’s 5-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.2 million tons, an increase of 9 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian ports were virtually unchanged from a year ago. Through November the iron ore trade stands at 54.6 million tons, an increase of 10.5 percent compared to both a year ago and the 5-year average for the January-November timeframe.
Shipments from U.S. ports are up 12 percent compared to a year ago and 14.6 percent ahead of their 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian ports are essentially in lockstep with a year ago, but some 16 percent below the 5-year average for the January-November timeframe.
Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 55 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.... Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo per year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging. Those cargos support more than 103,000 jobs, each with an average wage of $47,000. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.