U.S.-Flag Cargo Movement on Lakes Up 14-Plus Percent in October
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 9.8 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in October, an increase of 14.4 percent compared to a year ago. The total was also slightly ahead of October’s long-term average, but 1 percent below the 9.9 million tons the fleet moved in September.
U.S.-flag lakers moved 4.4 million tons of iron ore in October, 73.7 percent of all ore moving on the Lakes/Seaway that month. The 4.4 million tons represent a 15.8 percent increase over a year ago, and a 5.1 percent increase compared to October’s long-term average.
Coal shipments in U.S. hulls totaled 2.1 million tons in October, 75.2 percent of all coal moving on the Lakes that month. The 2.1 million tons represent an increase of 96,000 tons compared to a year ago, but are 7.4 percent below the month’s long-term average.