(CLEVELAND) — Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.2 million tons in December, a decrease of 8.8 percent compared to 2024. Shipments were also below the five-year average for the month by 7.6 percent.
The year-end total for the iron ore trade decreased by 12.8 percent to 43.4 million tons. Iron ore loadings for 2025 were down 8 percent compared to the trade’s five-year average.
Since 1880, the Lake Carriers’ Association has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargoes annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry-bulk materials such as grain, salt and sand. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
– Lake Carriers’ Association
