Repairing Ice Damage Costs U.S.-Flag Lakes Fleet Cargo in May
CLEVELAND—With three of the largest U.S.-flag lakers out of service for a combined 65 days in May to repair damage suffered in the heavy ice in March and April, cargo movement in U.S. hulls fell nearly 5 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments totaled 9.6 million tons. Had the three 1,000-footers been in operation the whole month, they would have carried another 600,000 tons and the fleet would have registered a small increase over May 2013.
Iron ore cargos totaled 4.6 million tons, a decrease of 6 percent compared to a year ago. The vessels removed from service to undergo repairs are normally heavily engaged in the movement of iron ore.