Great Lakes, St. Lawrence iron ore shipments dip

This was the first April since perhaps the 1850s during which no iron ore was shipped from Escanaba, Mich.
   Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 5.5 million tons in April, a decrease of 6.3 percent compared to a year ago. However, shipments topped the five-year average for April by nearly 15 percent, according to Lake Carriers’ Association.
   Shipments from U.S. Great Lakes ports totaled 5.1 million tons in April, a decrease of 4.5 percent. This was the first April since perhaps the 1850s during which no iron ore was shipped from Escanaba, Mich., the association said. The mine that shipped through Escanaba has been shuttered, and all the iron ore shipped to U.S. steel mills in April had to transit the Poe Lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. 
   The MacArthur Lock is undergoing maintenance and is not yet open for the season.
   Loadings at Canadian terminals in the Seaway totaled 380,000 tons in April, a decrease of 18.2 percent, Lake Carriers’ Association said Tuesday.
   Year to date, the iron ore trade stands at 9.4 million tons, a decrease of 13.7 percent compared to the same point in 2017. Loadings at U.S. ports total 8.2 million tons, a decrease of 15.6 percent year-over-year. Shipments from Canadian ports in the St. Lawrence Seaway have increased slightly to 1.2 million tons, according to Lake Carriers’ Association data.
    Lake Carriers’ Association represents 13 American companies that operate 45 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry and coal for power generation, as well as sand, grain and other dry-bulk cargos. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 100 million tons of cargo per year. 


Upcoming FreightWaves Events
Compliance

Brokerage Compliance Symposium

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Awards

F3 Awards Dinner

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

October 26, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
FreightTech

F3: Future of Freight Festival

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

October 27, 2026 – October 28, 2026
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN
Register Now
Compliance Brokerage Compliance Symposium Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
Awards F3 Awards Dinner Oct 26 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
FreightTech F3: Future of Freight Festival Oct 27 – Oct 28 • The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN

Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.

The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now