The Lake Carriers’ Association reports shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.4 million tons in October, a decrease of 1.3% compared to 2024. Shipments were 8% below the month’s 5-year average.

Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 35.8 million tons, a decrease of 12.6% compared to last year. Through October, iron ore loadings are 6.7% below their 5-year average.

Limestone trade on the Great Lakes was also down in October. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of limestone totaled 3.2 million tons in October, a decrease of 3.8% compared to 2024. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 10.7%.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, a 6.1% reduction. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased 6.8% to 626,805 tons.

Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 22.8 million tons, a decrease of 5.6% compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.5% from last year to 18.6 million tons; while shipments from Ontario quarries total 4.2 million tons, a decrease of 10%.