Yes, as of 2026, iron ore is still actively shipped on the Great Lakes, with 21.5 million tons exported from Duluth-Superior in 2025—the highest volume since 1995, according to port authorities.
Are there still ships on the Great Lakes?
Yes, the Great Lakes fleet remains fully operational as of 2026, with vessels like the 78,850-ton laker-class freighters still active.
Those behemoths—many built between 1976 and 1981—still haul bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, and grain. Their work depends on seasonal water levels and lock availability, but they keep the regional economy humming. Between the U.S. and Canadian fleets, nearly 60 freighters stay busy year-round (some take winter breaks for maintenance).
Where is iron ore loaded onto ships?
Iron ore is loaded onto ships at specialized ore docks, typically located near former iron mines and rail terminals.
Picture towering platforms where rail cars dump ore straight into ship holds. The busiest spots? Duluth-Superior, Marquette, and Thunder Bay. Gravity-fed chutes make the process slick, and some modern docks even use automation to speed things up during shipping season.
What is the shipping season on the Great Lakes?
The Great Lakes shipping season runs from late March through mid-January each year, with locks closing annually from late January to late March.
That window gives crews time for maintenance and ice control. The season kicks off when ports thaw and wraps up before ice clogs the channels. Bad weather or low water levels can throw a wrench in the works, but as of 2026, the schedule hasn’t changed much. It still moves over 200 million tons of cargo annually.
What is the newest ship on the Great Lakes?
As of 2026, the newest passenger vessel on the Great Lakes is the Viking Octantis, which began seasonal cruises in 2022.
This 20,000-ton expedition ship runs multi-day trips between ports like Milwaukee and Thunder Bay. Its ice-strengthened hull lets it explore more remote spots. Viking Cruises confirmed it’ll keep cruising the Great Lakes through at least 2026. The cargo fleet? Not so lucky—no new freighters have joined since the 2010s.
How do they unload an iron ore ship?
Iron ore ships are unloaded using built-in conveyor systems that move cargo from the hold to dockside storage.
Inside the ship, a tunnel conveyor scoops up ore from the holds. It feeds into an incline belt that lifts the material to deck level, then onto a dockside loop conveyor. Sometimes a big excavator or bucket elevator chips in to break up clumps. A typical 70,000-ton vessel? Unloaded in 12 to 24 hours at a modern port.
What is the big thing in Marquette?
The Presque Isle Ore Dock in Marquette, Michigan, remains the dominant industrial structure in the harbor.
Built in 1911 and still cranking out 9.5 to 10 million tons of taconite pellets annually, this dock is a beast. Standing 80 feet high and stretching 1,200 feet along the shoreline, it’s owned by Cliffs Natural Resources and connects to regional rail lines. Oh, and it’s a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark—plus a tourist hotspot.
How many freighters are on the Great Lakes?
As of 2026, there are 13 active freighters measuring 1,000 feet or longer on the Great Lakes.
These “1,000-footers” are the heavy lifters, carrying most of the iron ore and coal. The whole active fleet tops out at about 60 commercial vessels. The count’s stayed steady since 2015, with older ships retiring and newer tonnage replacing them. Mostly run by Canadian and U.S. shipping companies.
What does the Roger Blough carry?
The Roger Blough, a U.S.-flagged freighter, primarily carries taconite pellets—a processed iron ore.
Named after a former U.S. Steel chairman, this 730-foot vessel is part of the Canadian National Railway fleet based in Duluth. It hauls about 27,000 tons per trip, fueling steel production across the region. The ship’s a year-round worker within the seasonal shipping window and one of the fleet’s most recognizable vessels.
What are the names of the Great Lakes?
The five Great Lakes are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario.
Together, they make up the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total area. They hold 21% of the world’s surface freshwater and border eight U.S. states plus two Canadian provinces. Rivers and locks connect them, letting ships sail from Duluth all the way to the Atlantic. Their combined shoreline? Over 10,000 miles.
Are there still bodies in the Edmund Fitzgerald?
No human remains have ever been recovered from the wreck of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in 1975.
All 29 crew members perished when the ship went down in Lake Superior during a brutal storm. Multiple expeditions have found the wreck at 530 feet deep, but no human remains turned up—thanks to the cold water and currents. The Fitzgerald’s a protected gravesite under U.S. law, and its story lives on in museums and memorials.
Can you ride on a Great Lakes freighter?
Yes, you can ride as a passenger on some Great Lakes freighters—most commonly through the Interlake Steamship Company’s "Hands-On-Harvest" program.
These 4-to-6-day educational cruises let guests experience life aboard a working vessel. Tickets sell out fast—months in advance—and include meals, lodging, and behind-the-scenes tours. Demand’s high, so reservations are a must and limited to specific departure windows. It’s a unique way to dive into Great Lakes shipping and maritime history.
What is the fastest ship on the Great Lakes?
The freighter Ryerson, nicknamed "Fast Eddie," is the fastest ship on the Great Lakes with speeds up to 19 mph.
Built in 1969, this 730-footer tops out at 19 knots and carries 27,500 tons. It mostly runs between Duluth and lower lake ports. That speed lets it squeeze in more voyages during the shipping season. Not the biggest, but it holds the speed record among active commercial freighters.
How long does it take to load an iron ore ship?
A large iron ore ship can be fully loaded in less than 24 hours at a modern Great Lakes port.
Loading cranks out 10,000 to 16,000 tons per hour thanks to automated conveyor systems. Ore arrives by rail, dumps into hoppers, then rides a series of chutes and spouts into the ship’s holds. Total time includes positioning the vessel, securing lines, and trimming to meet draft limits. Busy ports like Superior and Marquette run 24-hour loading schedules when the season peaks.
How do self unloading ships work?
Self-unloading ships use onboard machinery—such as bucket elevators or belt conveyors—to discharge cargo without dockside equipment.
The setup includes belts and buckets that ferry material from the hold to a boom conveyor. Operators control the discharge rate and direction, making placement flexible. These ships shine at ports with limited gear or tricky water levels. Almost every new Great Lakes freighter built since the 1980s has this gear, giving them an edge over older models.
