Ice Impact Still Lingering on Lakes

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.”