Great Lakes iron-ore shipments for April up

• Great Lakes iron ore shipments

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Iron-ore shipments on the Great Lakes in April were higher than both last year and the month’s five-year average.

Nearly 6.1 million tons of iron ore were shipped in April. That’s 6.1 percent more than last year and nearly 23 percent more than the month’s five-year average, according to numbers released by the Lake Carriers’ Association.

Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.4 million tons, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to a year ago. That total included 435,000 tons shipped to Quebec for final delivery overseas. Loadings at Canadian ports rose 9.7 percent.

The year-to-date tonnage of iron ore also was higher than a year ago and the five-year average.

Through April, 11.9 million tons have been shipped. That’s approximately 11.5 percent more than a year ago and 28.2 percent more than the five-year average.

Shipments from U.S. ports are up 12.4 percent compared to a year ago and 31.5 percent over the five-year average. Year-to-date shipments from Canadian ports basically are unchanged from a year ago and their five-year average for the first four months of the year.

The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies operating 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.

Tags: lake superior, business, shipping