U.S.-Flag Cargo Movement on Lakes Up Almost 5 Percent in September
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 9.9 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in September, an increase of 4.6 percent compared to a year ago. The total was also in line with September’s long-term average, but was 5.2 percent below the 10.5 million tons the fleet moved in August.
U.S.-flag lakers moved 4.7 million tons of iron ore in September, 76.5 percent of all ore moving on the Lakes/Seaway that month. The 4.7 million tons represent an 8.5 percent increase over a year ago, and a 5.5 percent increase compared to September’s long-term average.
Coal shipments in U.S. hulls totaled 2 million tons in September, 77 percent of all coal moving on the Lakes that month. The 2 million tons represent a decrease of 4.2 percent compared to a year ago, and are 14.7 percent below the month’s long-term average.