According to a July report by the Lake Carriers' Association, iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.9 million net tons for the month of June, reflecting a decrease of 6.4 percent compared to May, but indicating an increase of 109 percent over a year ago. Shipments were also up 3.1 percent compared to the month's 5-year average.
Further, June loadings at US ports increased 108 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian ports rose 112 percent.
Year-to-date the Lakes ore trade stands at 21,653,206 tons, reflecting an increase of 130 percent compared to the same point last year. The end-of-June total is also virtually tied with the 5-year average for the first half of the year. Shipments from US ports are up 145 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian ports are 49 percent ahead of last year's pace.
The Lake Carriers' Association represents 18 American companies that operate 55 US-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation's economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, limestone, and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo per year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging.