Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.9 million tons in November, a decrease of 17 percent compared to a year ago, according to a report Tuesday from the Lake Carriers’ Association. Shipments were down 12 percent from the month’s 5-year average.
Loadings at US ports totaled 4.2 million tons in November, a decrease of 21.6 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian ports totaled 710,000 tons, an increase of 29.3 percent.
Through November, the Lakes/Seaway ore trade stands at 49.3 million tons, a decrease of 7 percent compared to the same point in 2014 and the 5-year average for the January-November timeframe. Loadings at US ports are down 11 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. Shipments from Canadian ports are up 29 percent.