Rainy Day

Rainy Day at the locks today.

he main cargoes moving through the locks are bulk commodities, mostly related to industry and raw materials. The primary cargoes include:

1. Iron ore – by far the largest cargo historically and currently. Mines in Minnesota’s Mesabi Range ship iron ore through the Great Lakes to steel mills in the lower lakes.
2. Coal – used mainly for steel production and power generation.
3. Limestone – used in steelmaking and construction.
4. Grain – such as wheat, corn, and soybeans, shipped from the Midwest to export ports.
5. Salt, cement, and other bulk materials – smaller in volume but still significant.
6. Petroleum products and chemicals – some tankers pass through, though bulk dry cargo dominates.

In modern traffic, iron ore pellets are the dominant cargo, making up most of the tonnage.

Two different ships passed through on this day.

Rainy Day

Have a great weekend.