Great Lakes News

Limestone shipments from U.S. ports decreased 27.5 percent compared to April 2025 to 1.1 million net tons. Loadings were also below the month’s 5-year average by 35.4 percent. Year-to-date, the U.S. limestone trade stands at 1.2 million tons, a decrease of 26.6 percent from last year and 31.9 percent below the 5-year average.As of April 2026, Canadian ports are no longer supplying information regarding limestone shipments.GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: APRIL 2021-2026 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE (NET TONS) 202120222023202420252026Average 2021-2025U.S.

Persistent precipitation this spring has resulted in rising water levels throughout the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River basin and flood conditions in many tributaries. Since March 1, water levels in Lake Ontario have risen from 74.54 meters (244.55 feet) to 75.30 meters (247.05 feet) by April 30, a total increase of 0.76 meters (2.50 feet) in two months. Meanwhile, the Ottawa River Regulating Committee has warned that outflows from the Ottawa River are high and have exceeded flood levels in certain areas. High outflows from the Ottawa River, which meets the St.

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) recognized Indiana Senator Todd Young for his commitment to the Great Lakes Navigation System and the nation’s maritime revitalization.“Senator Young understands the importance of U.S. shipping on the Great Lakes with interconnected harbors that depend on each other and a healthy maritime highway. He has advocated for another heavy U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker on the Lakes fully comprehending the importance…

In early April, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) released its navigation work plan for FY2026. The overall plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States.The USACE Detroit District staff have since compiled a summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions indicating that the Great Lakes region will receive $516.47 million in navigation maintenance funding in FY2026 — an increase…

Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor celebrated the start of the 2026 international shipping season Saturday with the arrival of the Ocean7 Ranger. The ocean vessel completed a 52-day voyage carrying equipment for facility improvements at U.S. Steel Gary Works, the largest integrated steel mill in North America.The 2026 opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway to ocean vessels marked one of the shortest winter closures in history, totaling just 69 days from Jan. 12 until March 22.To commemorate the occasion…

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes in March 2026 decreased 23.5 percent from a year ago. Loadings were also below the month’s 5-year average by 35.1 percent. The iron ore trade stands at 2.7 million tons, a decrease of 7.7 percent compared to 2025. For the first three months of the year, iron ore shipments are 21.2 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…

A little over a day and half since the Soo Locks opened providing access to Lake Superior and critical raw materials like iron ore, and the U.S.-flagged Great Lakes commercial fleet is at a standstill in the St. Marys River and Whitefish Bay, the critical connection between Lakes Superior and all other Great Lakes.The only way into Lake Superior is through the St. Marys River and Whitefish Bay, but ice conditions and a lack of a heavy U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker are creating substantial delays for American shipping and manufacturing. Some U.S.

Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2 million tons in January, a near match to 2025. Loadings were below the month’s 5-year average by 14.5 percent.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, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.

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…

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 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.

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

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.