Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes declined in March, with figures falling below one million tons, reflecting a 39.1 percent decrease compared to the same month in 2024. These loadings were 19.4 percent beneath the month’s five-year average.
Overall, the year-to-date iron ore trade totaled nearly three million tons by March, marking a 31.9 percent drop severalattributed to 2024. These numbers are 15.2 percent lower than the five-year average for the first three months of the year.
The Lake Carriers’ Association, since 1880, has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, capable of moving over 90 million tons of cargo annually. This cargo forms the backbone of American industry, infrastructure, and power, including materials like iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand. More information can be found on their website lcaships.com.
