Great Lakes Coal up More Than 12% in September

Lake Carriers’ Association reported that coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million tons in September, an increase of more than 12 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings were, however, 6.5 percent below the month’s long-term average.

Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.7 million tons, an increase of 7.5 percent compared to a year ago, but well off the month’s long-term average.

Loadings on Lake Michigan totaled 250,000 tons, a decrease of 5 percent compared to a year ago, and 26 percent below the month’s long-term average.

Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 1 million tons, an increase of nearly 28 percent compared to a year ago, and 8.3 percent better than the month’s long-term average.

Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 15.7 million tons, a decrease of 7.4 percent compared to a year ago. The gap between this year and last has narrowed considerably since ice released its stranglehold on the Lakes in May. At the end of April, shipments were nearly 50 percent behind the previous year.

lcaships.com