Market Data
March 2, 2026
January Great Lakes iron ore shipments nearly identical to last year
Written by Kristen DiLandro
Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes reached 2 million short tons (st) in January.
The latest report by the Lake Carriers’ Association notes the monthly shipment total is almost equal to shipments in January 2025.
In January 2025, iron ore shipments totaled 2,011,690 st compared to 2,009,102 st in January 2026. This year’s shipments represent a ~0.1% decrease.
However, January’s loadings were 14.5% below the five-year average.
Of the 7 ports included in the report, no shipments have been recorded from Ashtabula, Ohio, since 2021. Three Minnesota-based ports decreased shipments in January 2026 vs. 2025. And the remaining four ports, located in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio, all reported increased shipments.
The Lake Carriers’ Association, based in Westlake, Ohio, represents the US-flag Great Lakes fleet.
