Little Change in U.S.-Flag Cargo Movement on Lakes in May
CLEVELAND — U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 9.5 million tons of cargo in May, a virtual repeat of a year ago. The May float did trail the month’s 5-year average by 4.3 percent.
Iron ore cargos for steel production totaled 4,912,951 tons, an increase of 27,078 tons, or roughly one load in a 767-foot-long laker.
Coal shipments were likewise little changed from a year ago. Loadings totaled 1,405,989, a decrease of 29,411 tons, again roughly one cargo a mid-sized self-unloader.