Great Lakes Iron Ore and Limestone Trade Down in July
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.1 million tons in July, a decrease of 10.9% compared to 2024, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 1.7%.
Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 21.8 million tons, a decrease of 14.9% compared to one year ago. Iron ore shipments were 7.3% below their 5-year average for the first seven months of the year.
Meanwhile, the Lake Carriers’ Association reports that shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in July, a decrease of less than 1% compared to 2024. The trade was below the month’s 5-year average by 6.7%.
Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.9 million tons, a decrease of 1% compared to one year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries decreased by less than 1% to 646,418 tons.
Year-to-date, Great Lakes limestone trade stands at 12.7 million tons, a decrease of 5% compared to one year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 10.4 million tons, a decrease of 3.2%. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 2.3 million tons, a decrease of 12.6% compared to 2024.
Winding Down
As the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System approaches its seasonal closure, the rhythm of maritime commerce slows. The Montreal–Lake Ontario section will cease transits after December 24, with all ships required to clear... Read More
Algoma Steel to Lay Off 1,000 Workers, Close Blast Furnace
Algoma Steel plans to lay off about 1,000 workers and close its blast furnace and coke making operations in early 2026. Algoma cites the high tariffs imposed by U.S. President... Read More