Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down 12.8 Percent in 2025
CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.2 million tons in December, a decrease of 8.8 percent compared to 2024. Shipments were also below the 5-year average for the month by 7.6 percent.
The year-end total for the iron ore trade decreased by 12.8 percent to 43.4 million tons.
2025 iron ore loadings were down 8 percent compared to the trade’s 5-year average.
Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
Information based on data from knowledgeable sources. However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Lake Carriers’ Association assumes no legal responsibility for the outcome of decisions or commitments made on the basis of this information. Report represents the views of Lake Carriers’ Association and may not necessarily represent the views of its individual members.