U.S.-Flag Lakers’ Cargo Down 3.4 Percent in May
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (―lakers‖) carried 9.5 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in May, an increase of 15.6 percent compared to April, but a decrease of 3.4 percent compared to a year ago. The fleet’s May ―float‖ was also 9 percent below the month’s 5-year average.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry decreased 3.7 percent compared to a year ago. Coal for power generation and steel production was essentially unchanged from a year ago – 2.1 million tons. Aggregate and fluxstone for the construction and steel industries slipped by 8 percent.