Shipping and Logistics
Great Lakes iron ore trade fell again in March
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
April 10, 2025
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes tumbled 39.1% to slightly under 1 million short tons (st) in March compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).
Loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 19.4%.
Recall that shipments also saw a sharp decline in January.
Year to date, the iron ore trade stands at nearly 3 million short tons (st), a decline of 31.9% compared to a year ago. Iron ore shipments are 15.2% below their five-year average for the first three months of the year, the association reported.
The most active ports were Cleveland, (332,792 st); Two Harbors, Minn., (331,010 st); and Duluth, Minn., (102,763 st).
LCA represents 13 member companies that operate 45 vessels on the Great Lakes. These ships can transport more than 90 million st of cargo each year, ranging from iron ore, stone, coal, cement, grain, salt, and sand.
Stephanie Ritenbaugh
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