FOX 21 News 

DULUTH - Iron ore shipments out of four Lake Superior ports during May were just one-third of what they were one year earlier, according to the Lake Carriers' Association.

Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, and Silver Bay shipped a combined 1,608,571 net tons during May 2009, down from 4,859,408 net tons in May 2008.  The five-year average is 4,251,662 net tons.

Silver Bay showed the most dramatic decline, falling from 1,096,558 tons in May 2008 to just 30,616 net tons in May 2009.

The Lake Carriers' Association said dredging continues to cause problems, forcing the largest vessels to cut shipments by 5,000 tons or more to avoid hitting bottom.  Calling it a crisis, the group criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for not devoting more stimulus funding for dredging.

May 2009 Iron Ore Shipments.pdf