The Lake Carriers' Association reported Wednesday that iron ore shipments on the US Great Lakes totaled 5.5 million tons in October, a decrease of 6 percent compared to September, and 3.6 percent below the level of a year ago. Shipments were, however, marginally ahead of October's five-year average.
Shipments from US ports totaled 4.5 million tons, a decrease of 11.1 percent compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 81,000 tons shipped to Québec City for final delivery overseas. Loadings at Canadian ports jumped more than 60 percent to 950,000 tons.
Through October, the iron ore trade stands at 50 million tons, an increase of 2.5 percent compared to a year ago, and 14.6 percent better than the five-year average for the January-October timeframe.
Shipments from US ports are virtually tied with a year ago, and 14.6 percent ahead of their five-year average. Cargos destined for Quebec City for transshipment overseas total 3.5 million tons through October. Loadings at Canadian ports are up 23.3 percent compared to a year ago, and 14.3 percent ahead of their five-year average.