U.S.-Flag Lakers’ Cargo Down 3.3 Percent in June
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 10 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in June, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to May, but a decrease of 3.3 percent compared to a year ago. The June “float” was also 3.9 percent below the month’s 5-year average.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry increased 12.2 percent compared to a year ago. Coal for power generation and steel production fell by 25.3 percent. Aggregate and fluxstone for the construction and steel industries slipped by 7.2 percent.