Frequent weather delays hampered the iron ore trade on the Great Lakes in November, according to a report today from the Lake Carriers’ Association. Shipments totaled 5.7 million tons, an increase of just 60,000 tons compared to a year ago. Loadings fared better when compared to the month’s 5-year average, increasing by 260,000 tons, or 4.8 percent.
Shipments from US ports totaled 5.2 million tons in November, again a small increase, 2.2 percent. Loadings at Canadian terminals in the Seaway decreased by 10 percent to 480,000 tons.
Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 54.9 million tons, an increase of 11.9 percent compared to the same point in 2016. Year-over-year, loadings at US ports total 50.7 million tons, an increase of 14.7 percent. Shipments from Canadian ports in the St. Lawrence Seaway total 4.2 million tons, a decrease of 13.2 percent.