Great Lakes iron ore trade dips 9 percent in May

The following is the text of a news release from the Lake Carriers' Association:

(CLEVELAND) — Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 6 million tons in May, a decrease of 9 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments also trailed the month’s five-year average by 7 percent.

Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.5 million tons in May, a decrease of 8 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian terminals dipped by 20 percent to 556,000 tons.

Year to date, the iron ore trade stands at 15.4 million tons, an increase of 4 percent. Loadings at U.S. ports are up nearly 8 percent, but shipments from Canadian ports in the St. Lawrence Seaway are down 21 percent.

The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 14 American companies that operate 56 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 100 million tons of cargo per year. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff