Shipping activity on the Great Lakes delivered a split verdict in April, with iron ore volumes climbing year-over-year while limestone shipments from U.S. ports recorded a sharp decline, according to figures from trade group the Lake Carriers' Association.
Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3.9 million tons in April, a 5.3% increase compared with April 2025. Despite the year-over-year gain, volumes remained 9.4% below the month's five-year average, underscoring longer-term softness in the trade.
On a cumulative basis, iron ore shipments through the first four months of 2026 reached 6.8 million tons, edging up less than 1% compared with the same period a year ago. Year-to-date volumes are running 13.5% below the five-year average for the January–April period.
Limestone shipments from U.S. ports fell sharply in April, dropping 27.5% compared with the same month last year to 1.1 million net tons. The figure also came in 35.4% below the month's five-year average.
Through April, year-to-date U.S. limestone shipments stand at 1.2 million tons, down 26.6% from the first four months of 2025 and 31.9% below the five-year average for the period.
