Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down in April
CLEVELAND – Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 4.6 million tons in April, a decrease of 3.4 percent compared to last year. Shipments were 2.1 percent below the month’s 5-year average.
Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 8.97 million tons, an increase of 5.5 percent compared to the same point in 2023. Through April, iron ore shipments are 11.9 percent above their 5-year average for four months of the year.
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. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
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Eric Peace
Vice President
Lake Carriers’ Association
25651 Detroit Road, Suite 102
Westlake, Ohio 44145
(440) 333-9996 (office) | (410) 703-8792 (mobile)
EUPTA votes to reduce ferry service
to Neebish Island amid protest
SAULT STE. MARIE — An informational picket was held Tuesday morning to protest proposed schedule changes to the Neebish Island ferry service.
Before the monthly board meeting even started at the Eastern U.P. Transportation Authority (EUPTA), several people held signs in protest. EUPTA is financially and legally responsible for the ferry that connects the mainland near Barbeau to Neebish Island.
The island has around 50 year-round residents, but the island population grows to nearly 600 in the summer months.
Back in March, the U.S. Coast Guard notified the EUPTA that the ferry service was out of compliance when running the service beyond their 12-hour shift.
EUPTA board members voted unanimously Tuesday to stop the evening ferry service at 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, and at 8 p.m. on weekends. Emergency first responder crossings would not be affected.
“The only solution is to put additional staff on. Along with additional staff comes additional funding and right now, we have to look at the cost-benefit and how many people are benefiting from the amount of money we need to pay for a second crew or a night crew,” said Peter Paramski, EUPTA executive director.
Paramski says the new schedule start date is expected to begin Friday, May 24, the start of Memorial Day holiday weekend.
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