NEW YORK — U.S. aluminum distributors logged a slight increase in shipping rates in September, according to Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) data.

Service centers in the United States shipped an average of 5,900 tons of aluminum products per day last month, up 1.7 percent from 5,800 tons per day in August, although total shipments fell 16.1 percent to 112,500 tons from 134,100 tons because there were fewer shipping days in September. Inventories totaled 376,600 tons (3.3 months’ supply at current shipping levels) last month vs. 380,700 tons (2.8 months’ supply) in August.

Canadian service centers shipped 12,300 tons of aluminum products last month, down 8.2 percent from 13,400 tons the previous month, but the 600-ton-per-day average was unchanged. Stocks at the end of September totaled 39,400 tons (3.2 months’ supply) compared with 39,200 tons (2.9 months’ supply) a month earlier.