Great Lakes iron ore volumes up 6.4% in April

Great Lakes iron ore volumes up 6.4% in April    The Lake Carriers' Association reported iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 5.7 million tons in April, a 6.4 percent increase compared to a year ago.
   Vessel loadings were also 13.8 percent ahead of the month's five-year average.
   Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.1 million tons, an increase of 9.2 percent compared to a year ago. However, loadings at Canadians dipped slightly.
   Through April the iron ore trade stands at 10.7 million tons, a roughly 12.5 percent increase compared to both a year ago and the five-year average for the January-April timeframe. Shipments from U.S. ports are up 11.7 percent compared to a year ago and 13.7 percent ahead of their five-year average.
   Loadings at Canadian ports are 21 percent ahead of last year's pace, but marginally below their five-year average for the first four months of the year, the association said.
   Lake Carriers' Association represents 17 American companies that operate 55 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes. These vessels transport iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation.