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    Shipping and Logistics

    Great Lakes Shipping Season Ends for Winter

    Written by Sandy Williams


    The shipping season on the Great Lakes officially ended with the closing of the Soo Locks on Friday, Jan. 15. The locks in Sault St. Marie are the last to close for the winter season. The Welland Canal, through Ontario, closed on Dec 30 followed by the St. Lawrence Seaway locks on Dec. 31.

    The shipping season was a tough one for iron ore miners and carriers on the Lakes. Weaker demand in the steel industry was reflected by decreased iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes. Tonnage last year fell by 8.5 percent to 54.4 million tons. Compared to the five year average, tonnage was down 7.8 percent.

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