Iron ore and coal shipments decline on US Great Lakes

Thursday, 17 November 2011

According to the Lake Carriers' Association, iron ore shipments on the US Great Lakes fell in October, dropping 11 percent from September to 5.7 million nt. Nonetheless, year-on-year iron ore shipments were still up 13 percent. Shipments from US ports totaled 5.1 million nt, an increase of 18 percent compared to a year ago. However, loadings at Canadian ports slipped 16.3 percent from a year ago. Through October the iron ore trade stands at 48.8 million nt, an increase of nearly 11 percent compared to year ago levels.

Additionally, shipments of coal on the US Great Lakes totaled 3 million net tons (nt) in October, an 11 percent decrease from September and 9.6 percent less than in October 2010. The trade slumped even more--20.7 percent--when compared to the five-year average for October. Year-to-date, the coal trade stands at 22.1 million nt, a decrease of 14.1 percent compared to a year ago.

Tags: Met Coke , iron ore , Canada , USA , raw mat , North America , trading , freight
Sourced:SteelOrbis

Great Lakes coal shipments in October down by 9pct

Wednesday, 16 Nov 2011

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million net tonnes in October, a decrease of nearly 11% compared to September and a drop of 9.6% compared to a year ago. The trade slumped even more 20.7% when compared to the 5 year average for October.

Loadings at Lake Superior ports fell to 1.5 million tonnes, a decrease of 21.6% compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Michigan terminals rose 40% for the second straight month. Loadings at Lake Erie docks were essentially on par with a year ago.

Year to date, the coal trade stands at 22.1 million tonnes, a decrease of 14.1% compared to a year ago, and even more, 25.4%, when compared to the 5 year average for the January to October timeframe.

(sourced from marinelink)

Coal shipments down in past year on Great Lakes

Monday, 24 Oct 2011

It is reported that shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totalled 3.4 million net tonnes in September an increase of nearly 15%MoM but a decrease of 7%YoY.

The trade was more than 10% off the 5 year average for September. Loadings at Lake Superior ports topped 2 million tons for the first time this year but still represented a decrease of 6.5%YoY.

Shipments from Lake Michigan terminals rose 40% but loadings at Lake Erie docks slipped 21.6%. YTD the coal trade stands at 19 million tonnes down by 14.7%YoY and even more, 26.1% when compared to the 5 year average for the first three quarters.

(sourced fox21online)

Great Lakes coal shipment in July fell by 25pct YoY

Tuesday, 16 Aug 2011

Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million tonnes in July 2011, up by 58,000 tonnes over June 2011, but a decrease of approximately 25% YoY as compared to a year ago and the month's 5 year average.

Loadings at Lake Superior ports fell almost 31% as compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Michigan terminals increased marginally. Loadings at Lake Erie docks slumped almost 20%.

YTD, the coal trade stands at 12.7 million tonnes, a decrease of 14% YoY. Shipments are nearly 29% off the 5 year average for the January to July 2011 timeframe.

Lake Carriers' Association represents 17 American companies that operate 55 US flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation's economy, iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tonnes of cargo per year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging.

(Sourced from Lake Carriers' Association)

Industry: Great Lakes cargo shipping way up in '10

JANUARY 19, 2011, 6:19 P.M. ET, Associated Press

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Shipments of bulk cargo such as iron ore on the Great Lakes jumped by one-third last year, a hopeful sign for a region battered by the recession, an industry spokesman said Wednesday.
The Lake Carriers Association credited a gradually healing economy for the increase in waterborne transport of coal, limestone, sand and other raw materials. But the dramatic statistical improvement in 2010 also reflects the industry's dismal showing the previous year.
"We obviously have a ways to go," said Glen Nekvasil, spokesman for the association, which represents 18 companies that operate 55 U.S.-flagged vessels on the Great Lakes.
The ships hauled 88.7 million tons of dry bulk freight last year, up from 66.5 million tons in 2009, an increase of 33.4 percent.
The biggest improvement was in iron ore for the steel industry, which shot up 75 percent — from 24 million tons in 2009 to 42 million tons last year.
"The steel industry is still a very important barometer of our economic health," Nekvasil said. "It's the basic material of so many things in our life — autos, refrigerators, washing machines, the frames of office buildings and malls."
Despite the uptick, overall cargo tonnage for 2010 was about 10 percent below the average for the previous five years. Bulk shipment totals regularly exceeded 100 million tons annually before plunging in 2009, when iron ore transport hit its lowest level since 1938.
"Our industry was in a pretty depressed state," said Dale Hemmila, a spokesman for Cliffs Natural Resources, which manages two iron ore mines in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and three in Minnesota. "We certainly have seen a big improvement since then."
Coal shipments totaled 21.5 million tons, a 4.1 percent increase over 2009 — but nearly 13 percent below the previous five-year average.
Similarly, limestone loads were up 19.6 percent in 2010 but were nearly 18 percent below the five-year average.
Limestone demand has lagged with a construction slowdown in the region, while coal shipments have been affected by the Ontario government's push to phase out coal-fired power plants, Nekvasil said.
Shipments of salt on the lakes rose about 10 percent last year, while cement and sand totals dropped.
Shipping on the upper lakes ended for the winter on Wednesday with closure of the Soo Locks, which elevate and lower vessels between Lakes Huron and Superior. They will reopen March 25, said Steven Rose, operations chief with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Sault Ste. Marie.
Source: Associated Press and the wall street journal