Lake Carriers Association reports shipments of iron ore on both U.S. and Canadian flag carriers on the Great Lakes totaled 6.4 million tonnes in May, an increase of 15.1 per cent compared to April, but a decrease of 6.6 per cent compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by 4.8 per cent.
Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.8 million tonnes, a decrease of 2.9 per cent compared to a year ago. The May total included 380,000 tonnes shipped to Quebec City for loading into ocean-going vessels and delivery overseas.
Shipments from Canadian ports totaled 556,000 tonnes, a decrease of 33.5 per cent compared to a year ago. At 59,000 tonnes, shipments from Pointe Noire, Quebec, were about 50 per cent of five year averages, while shipments from Sept-Îles, at 89,000 tonnes, were about 67 per cent below five year averages. At 409,000 tonnes, shipments from Port Cartier were about 6 per cent below five-year averages.
On a year-to-date basis, the Lakes ore trade stands at 17.2 million tonnes, a decrease of 8.6 per cent compared to a year ago. Loadings are 3.1 per cent below the long-term average for the January-May timeframe.
