Great Lakes Ore Surge Continues

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes topped 7 million tons for the third straight month in September, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) said, adding that the 7,014,295 tons moved represented an increase of nearly 14 percent compared to a year ago, and nearly 18 percent when compared to the month’s long-term average.

According to the LCA, U.S. Great Lakes ports again powered the trade as loadings totaled 6.5 million tons, an increase of 17.4 percent. Included in that total were 125,000 tons shipped to Quebec City, Quebec, where they were then loaded into oceangoing vessels.

Shipments from the two active Canadian iron ore ports in the Seaway totaled 500,000 tons, a decrease of 20 percent compared to a year ago. The closure of Wabush Mines has stopped ore loading out of Pointe Noire.

Year-to-date, the Lakes ore trade stands at 40.7 million tons, a decrease of 2 percent compared to a year ago. After suffering staggering delays in March and April due to massive ice formations throughout the Lakes, shipments from U.S. ports are now down by less than one percent. However, loadings from Canadian ports in the Seaway have dipped by 14 percent.

Ore transshipments to Quebec City stand at 765,000 tons, a decrease of nearly 70 percent.