Lakes Iron Ore Trade Up 60 Percent in January Season Extension Swelled Total by 380,000 Tons
CLEVELAND—Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3,045,269 net tons in January, an increase of more than 60 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings were also 20 percent ahead of the month’s 5-year average.
January shipments were able to register such a significant increase because strong demand for iron ore necessitated a 3-day extension of the season through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The locks normally close on January 15, but the January 18 closing allowed U.S.-flag lakers to carry an extra 380,000 tons of iron ore.