Shipments of iron ore, coal and stone from U.S. and Canadian Great Lakes ports totaled 149,413,803 net tons during the 2000 navigation season, an increase of 1 percent compared to 1999. Shipments of the "Big 3" cargos stretched from March 13, 2000, when the first iron ore cargo was loaded at Escanaba, Michigan, until February 8, 2001, when the final coal cargo was loaded at Conneaut, Ohio.
Iron ore cargos decreased by 1 percent to 68.1 million net tons. Steel production actually increased in 2000, but the continued deluge of dumped foreign steel so reduced prices that 8 American steelmakers are currently in bankruptcy.
The Lakes coal trade increased 5.3 percent to 43.3 million net tons. That is the highest level since 1979 and reflects high demand for Lake Erie coal from Ontario Hydro.
The stone trade decreased 1 percent to 38.1 million tons.
All of these trades were impacted by the now 4-year decline in Great Lakes water levels. The top iron ore cargo loaded at a Lake Superior port last season was 58,017 gross tons (64,979 net tons). In 1997, the last year of high water, the largest iron ore cargo was 64,554 g.t. (72,300 n.t.). The 1,000-footers in the western coal trade at times last year were lightloading by nearly 10,000 tons compared to 1997.
All cargo totals are considered provisional until final verification, but no major changes are expected. Totals for salt, cement, potash and grain will be published as they become available.
Commodity | 2000 | 1999 |
| Iron Ore |
| |
| From Lake Superior | 49,809,596 | 49,141,455 |
| From Lake Michigan | 7,350,464 | 7,970,571 |
| From Eastern Canada | 10,904,847 | 11,669,537 |
| Total Iron Ore | 68,064,907 | 68,781,563 |
| Coal | ||
| From Lake Superior | 17,197,300 | 17,277,532 |
| From Lake Michigan | 2,363,983 | 2,546,297 |
| From Lake Erie | 23,734,930 | 21,281,005 |
| Total Coal | 43,296,213 | 41,104,834 |
| Limestone, Gypsum | ||
| From U.S. Ports | 30,941,320 | 31,820,724 |
| From Canadian Ports | 7,111,363 | 6,592,338 |
| Total Stone | 38,052,683 | 38,413,062 |
| Total - All Commodities | 149,413,803 | 148,299,459 |