Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.6 million tons in April, a decrease of 9 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers' Association. However, loadings were 11 percent ahead of the month's five-year average.
Shipments from US ports totaled 4.9 million tons, a decrease of 9.5 percent compared to a year ago. The April total included 257,000 tons shipped to Quebec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas.
Shipments from Canadian ports totaled 700,000 tons. The decrease from a year ago--36,000 tons--is the equivalent of approximately 1.3 cargos in a Seaway-sized laker.
Year-to-date, the Great Lakes ore trade stands at 10.8 million tons, a decrease of 10 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings are, however, up more than 13 percent compared to the five-year average for the January-April timeframe.