U.S.-Flag Lakers’ Cargo Up 7.6 Percent in September
CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 10.1 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in September, a decrease of 2.7 percent compared to August, but an increase of 7.6 percent compared to a year ago. The September float was also virtually tied with the month’s 5- year average.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry increased 16.3 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargos for construction, steel production, and environmental uses rose almost 5 percent, but coal for power generation and steel production was largely unchanged from a year ago.