U.S.-Flag Cargo Movement on Lakes Up 3.3 Percent in May
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 10.1 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in May, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. The May float was also largely in line with the month’s long-term average.
U.S.-flag lakers moved 4.9 million tons of iron ore in May, 76 percent of all ore moving on the Lakes/Seaway that month. The 4.9 million tons represent a slight increase compared to a year ago, but a decrease of 3 percent compared to the month’s long-term average.
Coal shipments in U.S. hulls totaled 1.8 million tons, 69.6 percent of all coal moving on the Lakes/Seaway in May. The fleet’s May coal total was, however, a decrease of 6.2 percent compared to a year ago.