Great Lakes iron ore shipments increase 12 percent in May

The Lake Carriers' Association reported Tuesday that iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 6.8 million tons in May, an increase of 12 percent over April, and 11.5 percent ahead of a year ago and the month's five-year average.

Shipments from US ports totaled 6 million tons, an increase of 9.7 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian ports rose 26 percent.

Through May, the iron ore trade stands at 18,754,424 tons, an increase of 11.5 percent compared to a year ago and 23 percent better than the five-year average for the January-May timeframe.