Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.8 million tons in August, a decrease of 10% compared to July and a drop of 9% compared to a year ago. Loadings also trailed the month’s long term average by 10%.

Shipments from US ports totaled 5.1 million tonnes, a decrease of 6% compared to a year ago. The August total included 447,000 tonnes shipped to Qu�bec City for loading into oceangoing vessels and delivery overseas. Year to date overseas exports from US Great Lakes ports total 1,994,000 tonnes.

Shipments from Canadian ports to Great Lakes destinations totaled 728,000 tons, a decrease of 24% compared to a year ago. Year to date, the Lakes iron ore trade stands at 35.4 million tonnes, a decrease of 8% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 5% below the long term average for the January and August timeframe.

Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 US flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation’s economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation, as well as salt, sand and grain. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tonnes of cargo per year.