The Lake Carriers' Association reported Friday that iron ore shipments on the US Great Lakes totaled 6.5 million tons in June, 5 percent lower than in May, but an increase of 3 percent compared to June 2011. Shipments were also nearly 16 percent ahead of June's five-year average.
Shipments from US ports totaled 5.6 million tons, a slight increase compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian ports rose 15.7 percent.
Through June, the iron ore trade stands at 25.2 million tons, an increase of 9.2 percent compared to a year ago and 21 percent better than the five-year average for the first half of the year.
Shipments from US ports are up 8.8 percent compared to a year ago and 23 percent ahead of their 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian ports are up 12.9 percent compared to a year ago and 7.4 percent ahead of their five-year average.