Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/media/k2/items/src/676091ebc71184b3b493c133a431b831.jpg)
Ice Impact Still Lingering on Lakes
Written by Sandy Williams
June 11, 2014
Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 6.4 million tons in May, nearly the same as May 2013, according to Lake Carriers’ Association. Shipments were about 600,000 tons lower than anticipated due to the idling of three US flag lakers for repairs during May due to ice damage suffered in March and April.
US port shipments of ore totaled 5.8 million tons, unchanged from last year. Shipments from Canadian terminals increased slightly to 588,000 tons.
Year to date totals for ore are down 26 percent year over year at 12.7 million tons. Ice on the Great Lakes slowed shipping well into April. Hazardous ice conditions kept Lake Superior vessels under US Coast Guard escort until May 2.
Lake Carriers’ says dredging is still needed to keep water levels at optimum for large load vessels.
“Rising water levels did allow for bigger loads than a year ago, but dredging remains very much needed. The largest iron ore cargo to move in May totaled 67,293 tons, an increase of 2,800 tons compared to a year ago. However, in May of 1997, a time when water levels were approaching near record highs and allowing vessels to load to almost their full draft, the top ore cargo totaled 69,961 tons, and before the season was out, some loads would top 72,000 tons.”
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/sandy-williams.jpeg)
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Products Prices North America
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor inches HR price up, aims for $695/ton
Nucor increased its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $695 per short ton (st), up $5/st from last week.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor maintains $690/ton HR base price
Nucor’s weekly consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil is unchanged from last week at $690/ton.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/CRU-Logo-2023-07-21-at-4.35.41-PM.png)
CRU: US prices find a bottom as other markets fall
The US sheet market appears to have reached a bottom following consistent weekly declines since April. However, other markets remain weak due to limited demand. Trading in Europe has been slow due to summer holidays. While European mills are also undergoing maintenance outages, these have not been enough to offset ongoing price falls, with weak […]
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Cliffs_logo2.2.png)
Cliffs seeks $700/ton for HR, up $30/ton from last week
Cleveland-Cliffs said on Wednesday that it would seek at least $700 per short ton (st) for hot-rolled (HR) coil. The Cleveland-based steelmaker said it made the move "due to ongoing market developments." The company said the increase was effective immediately for HR orders for September.
![](https://www.steelmarketupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/images/Featured_News_Icons/Nucor.png)
Nucor aims for $675/ton for HR
Nucor has raised its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil to $675 per short ton (st), up $25/st from last week.