Iron Ore Pellets
Great Lakes vessels deliver approximately 70 million net tons of iron ore pellets annually. The majority of this volume loads at "Head of Lakes" ports. The balance loads either from the port of Marquette or the port of Escanaba, each of which are located in Michigan's upper peninsula. Downbound iron ore pellets are destined for major integrated steel producers whose production sites are located adjacent to, or are accessed from, receiving facilities in lower Lake Michigan or Lake Erie.

Limestone Aggregates
Great Lakes vessels deliver approximately 40 million net tons of limestone aggregates annually. The majority of this commodity is produced at limestone quarries and aggregate production facilities located in Northern Michigan and Ohio. Limestone aggregates are delivered primarily to the construction and steel industries throughout all of the Great Lakes.

Eastern Coal
Great Lakes vessels deliver approximately 25 million net tons of eastern coal annually. The majority of this volume loads at ports in Lake Erie and South Chicago. Eastern coal moves primarily northbound and is consumed by public utilities and other industrial users.

Western Coal
Great Lakes vessels deliver approximately 16 million net tons of western coal annually. This commodity is primarily loaded at Superior, Wisconsin, and moves southbound through the Great Lakes. The majority of downbound western coal is destined for major public utilities; industrial users consume the remainder.