Great Lakes News

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 71.3 million tons of cargo in 2025, an 8.9 percent decrease from a year ago. 2025 cargo movement on the Great Lakes was 8.1 percent below the fleet’s 5-year average.Except for salt shipments, which increased by 4.1 percent, all commodity shipments decreased in 2025. Iron ore shipments were down 10.8 percent from 2024 to 39.1 million tons. Coal cargos declined to 6.5 million tons, a decrease of 12 percent. Limestone shipments of 20.1 million tons were below last year’s shipments by 4.7 percent.

The American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA), including members Ports of Indiana, the Illinois International Port District (IIPD), and Port Milwaukee, in partnership with the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), announced today that they will begin a comprehensive market analysis aimed at expanding cargo movement between the Great Lakes and Inland Waterways system.Together, the Great Lakes and Inland Waterways move close to 700 million tons of cargo each year…

Limestone shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 26.6 million tons in 2025, a decrease of 5.9 percent compared to the previous year. 2025’s loadings were below the trade’s 5-year average by 6.7 percent.Shipments from U.S. quarries decreased 5 percent from 2024 to 21.7 million tons. Loadings from U.S. quarries were also 5 percent below their 5-year average.2025 shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 4.9 million tons, a 9.7 percent decrease compared to 2024 and 13.9 percent below…

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.6 million tons in December, a decrease of 4.5 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were just slightly above the 5-year average for the month.The year-end total for the iron ore trade stands at 49.8 million tons, a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to 2023.Compared to the trade’s 5-year average, 2024 iron ore loadings were up 3.8 percent.© Lake Carriers’ Association© Lake Carriers’ AssociationInformation based on data from knowledgeable sources. However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes decreased 19.1 percent from 2024 to 3.4 million tons in November. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 20.3 percent.Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 39.2 million tons, a decrease of 13.2 percent compared to the same point in 2024.Through November, iron ore loadings are 8.1 percent below their 5-year average.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 3.2 million tons in October, a decrease of 3.8 percent compared to 2024. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 10.7 percent.Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, a 6.1 percent reduction. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased 6.8 percent to 626,805 tons.Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 22.8 million tons, a decrease of 5.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.5 percent from last year to 18.6 million tons…

The Great Lakes Towing Company and Great Lakes Shipyard have promoted Gregg Thauvette and Thomas Rigolo, two long-time leaders whose commitment and expertise have been key to the companies’ continued success.Gregg Thauvette has been promoted to Executive Vice President to President of The Great Lakes Towing Company, where he will continue to oversee all harbor towing and fleet operations across more than 40 U.S. ports throughout the Great Lakes.With decades of maritime experience, Thauvette has been a driving force behind the Towing Company’s continued success and growth.

There hasn’t been an invasives species introduced to the Great Lakes from ballast water since 2006. So, what’s the problem now?As far as Transport Canada is concerned: “Scientific sampling to date consistently shows that ballast water management systems (BWMS) used in the Great Lakes reduce organism densities in ballast water discharges by over 99%, consistent with global evidence. As crews gain experience in operating these systems, performance continues to improve, contributing to the ongoing protection of Canada’s waters from invasive species.”  However…

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…