According to a release from the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA), shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 6.2 million tons in September, an increase of 4.4 percent compared to a year ago, and 6.3 percent better than August. The September ore float was, however, only slightly ahead of the month's five-year average.
Shipments from US ports totaled 5.5 million tons, an increase of 9.8 percent compared to a year ago. The September total included 340,000 tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Year-to-date overseas exports from US Great Lakes ports total 2,334,000 tons.
Shipments from Canadian ports to Great Lakes destinations totaled 622,000 tons, a decrease of 27.2 percent compared to a year ago.
Year-to-date, the Lakes iron ore trade stands at 41.6 million tons, a decrease of 6.7 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings are 4.3 percent below the long-term average for the first three quarters.
Additionally, the LCA reported that coal trade on the Great Lakes was down 13 percent in September, with a total of 2.7 million tons.
Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 13.5 percent compared to a year ago. Exports to Europe from Superior total 1,253,000 tons through September. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 17 million tons, a decrease of 3 percent compared to a year ago.