Great Lakes News

Shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes decreased 14.2 percent from 2024 to 4.7 million tons in September. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 7.4 percent.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 31.4 million tons, a 14 percent decrease compared to last year. Through September, iron ore loadings are 6.6 percent below their 5-year average for the first three quarters of the year.Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in September, a decrease of 11.5% compared to 2024.  Limestone cargos were also below the month’s five-year average by 6%.Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 13.5% from last year to 2.7 million tons.  Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 663,144 tons, a decrease of 2.3%.Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 19.6 million tons, a decrease of 5.8% compared to 2024.  Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.2% to 16 million tons; while shipments from Ontario quarries decreased by 12.3% to 3.6 million tons.

Amrize has launched the MV Tamarack, a 12,500dwt carrier with a capacity of over 10,000 cubic meters of cement.The vessel was delivered by Holland Shipyard in The Netherlands and is managed by CSL’s Canadian division, Canada Steamship Lines.The MV Tamarack replaces two older ships with a single, streamlined, high-performance vessel. Equipped with diesel-electric propulsion, advanced manuvrability systems, shore-power compatibility, noise insulation and energy-saving cargo handling…

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes in August totaled 5 million tons, a 9.1 percent decrease compared to last year. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 2 percent.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade totals 26.7 million tons, a decrease of 13.9 percent compared to the same point in 2024.Through August, iron shipments are 6.4 percent below their 5-year average for eight months of the year.Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: August 2020-2025 and 5-Year AverageIncludes Transshipments to Quebec City for Shipment Overseas(net tons) AveragePort2020202120222023202420252020-2024Duluth…

The International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board has announced that as of July 31, the Canadian Drought Monitor shows the Lake Ontario and upper St. Lawrence River regions are experiencing a moderate drought and the lower St. Lawrence River is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.For the period of August 6 through 12, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows moderate drought conditions in western Lake Ontario and abnormally dry conditions throughout the central and eastern portions of Lake Ontario through the upper St.

On Monday, August 18, 2025, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) recognized Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain for her efforts advocating for the Great Lakes Navigation System and those who live and work on or near the Fourth Sea Coast."It is an incredible honor to be recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. The Great Lakes are not only a vital economic engine for our region, but a national treasure that demands strong, informed policy,” Chairwoman McClain said.

NV5 has unveiled its latest precision hydrography innovations in the Great Lakes, enabling maritime stakeholders to “Own the Lakebed, Master the Mission." To showcase these breakthrough capabilities, NV5 will host a free, live webinar on Wednesday, August 27 at 1:00 PM CT/ 2:00 PM ET, offering a deep dive into how integrated hydrographic, terrestrial, and lidar data are transforming infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring in the region.From shoreline restoration to subsea cable routing and coastal resilience projects…

The Great Lakes iron ore trade lost momentum in July, with shipments totaling 5.1 million tons — a 10.9% decline compared to the same month in 2024, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). The July volume also came in 1.7% below the five-year average, signaling that weaker conditions are not just a one-month anomaly.The year-to-date picture is similarly soft. Through the first seven months of 2025, the Lakes fleet has moved 21.8 million tons of iron ore, down 14.9% from a year earlier and 7.3% below the five-year average.

In this live webinar, you’ll discover how our latest hydrographic survey innovations, developed and refined across multiple years of Great Lakes operations, can support your infrastructure, energy, and environmental initiatives.Hydrospatial experts from NV5, NOAA, and Exail will be presenting.We’ll highlight:- Survey efficiencies that cut timelines without compromising quality- Integration of hydrographic, terrestrial, and topobathymetric lidar data- Real-world applications that power better planning and decision-makingWednesday, August 27 at 1:00 PM CT / 2 PM ET.Register here.

Holland Shipyards Group, in collaboration with Eureka Shipping and SMT Shipping, delivered the cement carrier Tamarack earlier this week at Holland Shipyards Group’s yard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam.Tamarack is a 12,500-DWT self-discharging cement carrier designed specifically for the Great Lakes region in Canada. Built to replace two older vessels, Tamarack offers equivalent transport capacity in a more compact and efficient platform. The vessel is equipped with diesel-electric propulsion…

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.9 million tons in June, a decrease of 9.6% from 2024. Shipments were 1.2% below the month’s five-year average.Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 16.6 million tons, a decrease of 16.1% compared to the previous year’s total. Iron shipments are below their five-year average by 8.9% for the first half of the year.Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry…

The Lake Carriers’ Association reports that shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in June, an increase of 6.5% from 2024.However, this June’s loadings were below the month’s five-year average by 1.9%.Loadings out of U.S. quarries totaled 2.9 million tons, an increase of 12.2%t compared to last year. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 639,301 tons, a decrease of 13.4%.Year-to-date, the Lakes limestone trade stands at 9.1 million tons, a decrease of 6.5% compared to a year ago.

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3.7 million tons in April, a decrease of 18.7% compared to 2024. Shipments were 19.1% below the month’s five-year average.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 6.7 million tons, a decrease of 25.1% compared to a year ago. Through April, iron ore shipments are 17.4% below their five-year average for four months of the year.Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually including iron ore…

The Lakes Carriers' Association reports that limestone shipments in the Great Lakes totaled 1.8 million net tons, a decrease of 21.6% compared to a year ago. Loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 15.7%.Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.5 million tons, a decrease of 18.2%. Loadings at Canadian quarries decreased by 35.3% to 297,064 tons.Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 2 million tons, a decrease of 22.7% from 2024. Shipments from U.S. and Canadian ports decreased by 19.4% and 37.3%, respectively, from the previous year.

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes were below one million tons in March, a decrease of 39.1% compared to 2024, reports the Lake Carriers’ Association. Loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 19.4%.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at nearly three million tons, a decrease 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.Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet…

The Great Lakes Water Levels Boards of the International Joint Commission have provided an updated summary of current water level conditions.Water supply conditions throughout much of 2024 resulted in near average water levels throughout the Great Lakes and one of the longest periods of sustained near long-term average water levels on Lake Ontario.Although water levels throughout the Great Lakes continued their natural, gradual seasonal decline in fall, drought conditions in certain regions of the Great Lakes accelerated the water level decline in some of the lakes.

With winter in full swing, the U.S.-flagged fleet of Lakers have tied up in ports across the Great Lakes region to perform critical maintenance before the navigational locks in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan reopen on March 25th.Hundreds of skilled shipyard workers will flock to the area to support the nearly $150 million maintenance investment being made on these massive ships. The state receiving the largest amount of work is Ohio with $51.5 million, followed closely by Wisconsin at $51 million…

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 76.3 million tons of cargo in 2024, a decrease of 6.3 percent compared to 2023. The 2024 float was 4.6 percent below the fleet’s 5-year average.Compared to 2023, salt shipments increased by 5.8 percent while sand shipments increased by 15.2 percent. However, shipments of all other commodities decreased in 2024. Both iron ore and grain cargos decreased by less than one percent to 42 million tons and 312,345 tons, respectively. Coal cargos were down 12.7 percent to 7.3 million tons.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 28.3 million tons in 2024, a decrease of 3.9 percent compared to 2023.  2024’s loadings were below the trade’s 5-year average by 2.9 percent.Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 3.4 percent from the prior year to 22.8 million tons.  Shipments from U.S. quarries were also below their 5-year average by 2.4 percent.Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 5.4 million tons, a decrease of 5.7 percent compared to 2023 and 5 percent below the 5-year average.

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System as amended a Planned Outage at Lock 7.Mariners are advised of a revision to the preplanned closure at Lock 7 for the replacement of Gates 1 and 2. Due to environmental conditions, the closure will begin one day later. The details are as follows:Dates: January 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2025Time: 08:00 to 18:00 each day (10-hour window)During these periods, the lock will be unavailable for transit.Any deviation from the above schedule will be communicated via major delay communication.

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.3 million tons in November, a decrease of 4.7 percent from 2023. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 3.5 percent.Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 45.2 million tons, a decrease of 2.3 percent compared to the same point in 2023. Through November iron ore loadings are 4.2 percent above their 5-year average for that timeframe.Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in October, a decrease of 13.1 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 9.6 percent.The Lake Carriers' Association, the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet trade group, today announced thatl loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.7 million tons, a decrease of 8.4 percent. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 587,069 tons, a decrease of 29.7 percent. Year-to-date the limestone trade stands at 24.2 million tons, a slight decrease compared to 2023.

After a seven-year hiatus, Port Milwaukee has announced the return of Victory Cruise Lines in 2025. The cruise line will call on Milwaukee once again with the vessel Victory I which has a passenger capacity of approximately 200 people. Over 13,500 global cruise passengers visited the City of Milwaukee this year, marking another successful season for the city’s growing cruising industry.The season saw 27 vessel calls from seven vessels that host itineraries in Milwaukee.Port Milwaukee kicked off its cruise season on May 1, 2024, with the arrival of the Viking Octantis.