U.S.-Flag Lakes Cargos Down 4.2 Percent in August
CLEVELAND – U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 9.5 million tons of cargo in August, a decrease of 4.2 percent compared to a year ago. The August float was also 7.7 percent below the month’s 5-year average.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry totaled 4.5 million tons, an increase of 4.7 percent compared to a year ago. Coal shipments to power plants and steel mills fell to 1.4 million tons, a decrease of 17.1 percent. Limestone for construction projects and steel production totaled 2.9 million tons, a decrease of 6.4 percent compared to a year ago.