Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes in March totaled 1.1 million net tons, more than double the total recorded a year earlier. While the March coal float accurately reflects current demand, the comparison with March 2003 needs some clarification. Ice conditions on the Great Lakes in March 2003 were severe and delayed the resumption of shipments. Compared to the month's 5-year average, this March represents a slight decrease and reflects lower shipments to Canada from Lake Erie ports.

For the year, the Lakes coal trade stands at 2.6 million tons, again more than double the volume recorded at the same point in 2003, and a slight increase over the 5-year average for the January-March timeframe. It must be noted that the 2004 season-to-date total includes a number of western coal cargos that moved as a result of the one-time extension of the closing date for the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Great Lakes Coal Shipments: March 2000-2004 and 5-Year Average
Net Tons
	March	March	March	March	March	5-Year
Port	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Average
Superior	580,792	414,705	355,002	53,577	582,512	397,318
Thunder Bay	0	0	29,966	0	0	5,993
Total - Lake Superior	580,792	414,705	384,968	53,577	582,512	403,311
South Chicago	0	77,939	39,982	0	106,362	44,857
Total - Lake Michigan	0	77,939	39,982	0	106,362	44,857
Toledo	113,168	24,424	218,771	54,976	69,555	96,179
Sandusky	112,828	213,648	160,843	28,678	78,307	118,861
Ashtabula	611,475	340,772	29,635	385,784	0	273,533
Conneaut	348,972	370,872	105,638	0	238,592	212,815
Total - Lake Erie	1,186,443	949,716	514,887	469,438	386,454	701,388
Total - All Lakes	1,767,235	1,442,360	939,837	523,015	1,075,328	1,149,555

Great Lakes Coal Shipments: Year-To-Date 2000-2004 And 5-Year Average
Net Tons
						5-Year
Port	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Average
Superior	761,955	759,986	413,950	161,494	1,024,653	624,408
Thunder Bay	0	0	29,966	0	85,722	23,138
Total - Lake Superior	761,955	759,986	443,916	161,494	1,110,375	647,545
South Chicago	48,861	158,945	143,834	74,184	288,556	142,876
Total - Lake Michigan	48,861	158,945	143,834	74,184	288,556	142,876
Toledo	113,168	24,424	218,771	54,976	69,555	96,179
Sandusky	120,694	213,648	160,843	28,678	105,727	125,918
Ashtabula	665,526	660,465	555,592	608,129	379,999	573,942
Conneaut	669,866	1,524,098	715,924	298,720	620,788	765,879
Total - Lake Erie	1,569,254	2,422,635	1,651,130	990,503	1,176,069	1,561,918
Total - All Lakes	2,380,070	3,341,566	2,238,880	1,226,181	2,575,000	2,352,339