Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.9 million tons in September, a decrease of 7.3 percent compared to August, and 7 percent below the level of a year ago. Shipments were, however, 6.1 percent ahead of September’s 5-year average.
Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5,052,532 tons, a decrease of 10.2 percent compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 360,000 tons shipped to Québec City for final delivery overseas. No iron ore was loaded in Escanaba, Michigan, in September as the dock was undergoing scheduled maintenance. Loadings at Canadian ports rose 10 percent (80,000 tons). Through September the iron ore trade stands at 44.6 million tons, an increase of 3.5 percent compared to a year ago, and 16.2 percent better than the 5-year average for the first three quarters.
Shipments from U.S. ports are up 1.7 percent compared to a year ago, and 16.9 percent ahead of their 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian ports are up 18.4 percent compared to a year ago, and 11.3 percent ahead of their 5-year average. 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. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.