The Lake Carriers' Association reported Thursday that iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 6.9 million tons in July, an increase of 6.3 percent compared to June, but a decrease of 2.2 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were, however, more than 12 percent ahead of July's five-year average.
Shipments from US ports totaled 5.9 million tons, a decrease of 6 percent compared to a year ago. Included in that total were 570,000 tons shipped to Québec City for final delivery overseas. Loadings at Canadian ports rose almost 30 percent.
Through July the iron ore trade stands at 32.1 million tons, an increase of 6.5 percent compared to a year ago and 19 percent better than the five-year average for the January-July timeframe.
Shipments from US ports are up 5.3 percent compared to a year ago and 20.5 percent ahead of their five-year average. Loadings at Canadian ports are up nearly 17 percent compared to a year ago and 9 percent ahead of their five-year average.