U.S.-Flag Cargo Movement on the Great Lakes Down 34 Percent in March
CLEVELAND — U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 1.2 million tons of cargo in March, a decrease of nearly 34 percent compared to a year ago. March’s float was also 19.7 percent below the month’s 5-year average. The decreases reflect the inadequacy of icebreaking resources stationed on the Great Lakes. Two U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers were out of service in March. A Canadian icebreaker tasked to Lake Superior was only able to operate at 60 percent of capability (and then was idled for most of April by mechanical issues).