According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 6.5 million tonnes in June, a decrease of 5% from May, but an increase of 3% compared to a year ago. Shipments were almost 16% ahead of June’s five-year average.

Through June, 25.2 million tonnes of iron ore had been shipped on the Great Lakes this year, an increase of 9.2% compared to a year ago and 21% better than the five year average.

Coal shipments totaled 2.6 million tonnes in June, a decrease of 9.7% from May and nearly 13% less than a year ago. Some of the drop was due to the flood related temporary closure of the Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior.

Through June, 8.9 million tonnes of coal had been shipped on the Great Lakes this year, 7.6% less than a year ago and nearly 28% less than the five year average.

Limestone shipments totaled nearly 3.9 million tons in June, an increase of 14.8% from May and 7.2% better than a year ago. Shipments in June matched the month’s five year average.

Source - Duluth News Tribune

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