May ore loads on Great Lakes down over a year ago

   Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 6.4 million tons in May, an increase of 15.1 percent compared to April, the Lake Carriers’ Association said.
   However, the association noted the amount was a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long-term average by 4.8 percent.
   Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 5.8 million tons, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to a year ago. The May total included 380,000 tons shipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Meanwhile, cargoes from Canadian ports totaled 556,000 tons, a decrease of 33.5 percent compared to a year ago.
   Year-to-date, the Great Lakes ore trade stands at 17.2 million tons, a decrease of 8.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings are 3.1 percent below the long-term average for the January-May timeframe, the association said.
   The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.