The Lake Carriers’ Association reports that Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes in August increased by 8.6 percent compared to 2022 to a total of 5.5 million tons. Shipments were also above the month’s five-year average by 3.5 percent.

Year-to-date, the iron ore trade totals 31.2 million tons, an increase of 28.9 percent compared to the same point last year. Through August iron shipments are 6.5 percent above their five-year average for eight months of the year.

Limestone Shipments

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 4 million tons in August, an increase of 4.4 percent from a year ago. Limestone cargos were above the month’s five-year average by 3.7 percent. Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.3 million tons, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2022. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 754,178 tons, an increase of 1.9 percent.

Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 16.2 million tons, a decrease of 7.4 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 13.1 million tons, a decrease of 5.1 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 3.1 million tons, a decrease of 15.6 percent.