The Lake Carriers' Association has reported that iron ore shipments continued their uptrend in November, rising 2 percent over October to 5.8 million tons. Iron ore shipments are also up 8 percent versus the same period a year ago. Through November, iron ore shipments total 54.6 million tons, 10.5 percent higher compared to year-ago levels.
Meanwhile, coal shipments on the US Great Lakes totaled 3 million net tons (nt) in November, little-changed from October but 10 percent below coal shipments during the same month a year ago. Further, the coal trade year-to-date stands at 25.1 million nt, 13.6 percent lower compared to the January-November period in 2010.