Great Lakes Coal Trade Slows in November

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.

Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 21.4 million tons, a decrease of 4.8 percent compared to the same point last year. The deficit was much worse earlier in the season when heavy ice blanketed the Lakes. As April came to an end, shipments were down nearly 48 percent.