July 07, 2026
Great lakes iron ore and limestone trade increased in June
The Lake Carriers' Association reports that shipments of iron ore from U.S. Great Lakes ports increased 4.5 percent from June of last year to 5.1 million tons. Shipments were a near match to the month's 5-year average.
Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 17.3 million tons, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to 2025. Iron shipments are below their 5-year average by 4.6 percent for the first six months of the year.
U.S. shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes increased 4.5 percent from June 2025 to 3 million tons. This June's U.S. loadings were also above the month's 5-year average by 6.9 percent.
Year-to-date, the Lakes U.S. limestone trade stands at nearly 7 million tons, a decrease of 7.5 percent compared to last year and 7.2 percent below the month's 5-year average.
Source: Lake Carriers' Association