Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down 9% in August

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.8 million tons in August, a decrease of 10% compared to July, and a drop of 9% compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by 10%.

Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.1 million tons, a decrease of 6% compared to a year ago. The August total included 447,000 tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Year-to-date overseas exports from U.S. Great Lakes ports total 1,994,000 tons.

Shipments from Canadian ports to Great Lakes destinations totaled 728,000 tons, a decrease of 24% compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, the Lakes iron ore trade stands at 35.4 million tons, a decrease of 8% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 5% below the long-term average for the January-August timeframe.

Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 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 115 million tons of cargo per year.

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