Great Lakes iron ore shipments up sharply
The Lake Carriers' Association said iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million net tons in January, a 60 percent increase compared to a year ago.
Loadings were also 20 percent ahead of the month's five-year average.
The association said the significant increase in January shipments was due to strong demand for iron ore necessitated a three-day extension of the season through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The locks normally close on Jan. 15, but the Jan. 18 closing allowed U.S.-flag lakers to carry an extra 380,000 tons of iron ore.
