Carbon Copy News

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 8.6 million tons of cargo in November, a virtual repeat of a year ago. The November float was also a near carbon copy of the month’s 5-year average.Iron ore cargos for steel production totaled 4.6 million tons, an increase of 9.6 percent compared to a year ago.Coal loads totaled 1.3 million tons, again little changed from a year ago. Shipments of aggregate, fluxstone, chemical stone and scrubber stone totaled 2.3 million tons, a decrease of 8 percent compared to a year ago.Year-to-date U.S.-flag cargo movement stands at 75.3 million tons…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled nearly 4 million tons in August, a near carbon copy of both a year ago and July of this year, The Lake Carriers’ Association reports. The 3,941,085 tons of limestone cargos in August also bettered the month’s five-year average by 5.8 percent.Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.248 million tons, a decrease 3.3 percent, or 110,000 tons, compared to a year ago, LCA said. Shipments from Canadian quarries, meanwhile, totaled 693,003 tons…

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 87.2 million tons of cargo in 2015, a decrease of 3.3 percent compared to 2014, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) said. The end-year tally is the lowest since 2009 when the U.S.-flag float totaled 66.5 million tons. According to the LCA, the total volumes or iron ore, coal and sand shipments fell in 2015, while limestone, cement and grain cargos saw overall gains. Sand shipments, meanwhile, stayed about even with 2014’s figures. Sand shipments dipped 15 percent to 320,000 tons.

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway totaled 5.9 million tons in August, a decrease of 19 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). LCA said the ore trade was suppressed by continued high steel imports levels, as well as three of the largest U.S.-flag lakers out of service for repair work for the majority of the month. Shipments from U.S. ports decreased 26.5 percent compared to a year ago, down to a total 5 million tons…

For the second month in a row, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes topped 4 million tons in July, the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA) reported. This is the first time loadings have topped the 4-million-ton mark for more than one month in a shipping season since 2008. Loadings at U.S. quarries totaled 3.5 million tons, a virtual repeat of a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries – 560,000 tons – also were a near carbon copy of a year ago. Year-to-date, the Lakes limestone trade stands at 14 million tons, an increase of 16 percent compared to a year ago. The increase in part reflects how severely stone shipments were impacted by the near glacial ice that covered the Lakes into May of 2014. LCA noted.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in May, a decrease of 8 percent compared to a year ago, the Lake Carriers’ Association reported, adding that shipments were also 3 percent below the month’s long-term average. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 2.8 million tons, a decrease of 9 percent compared to a year ago. However, loadings at Canadian quarries were a virtual carbon copy of a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 4.2 million tons, a decrease of 25.3 percent compared to a year ago.

A September 7 report from Bloomberg said that offshore oil drillers should upgrade the disaster-response plans that lawmakers have described as “carbon copy,” according to two industry task forces probing BP Plc’s Gulf of Mexico spill. The plans should specify how much oil may be released in a worst-case scenario, the National Ocean Industries Association said in a statement on the recommendations. Exxon Mobil Corp., BP, ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc were deemed ill prepared for a major spill because their response plans were almost identical, lawmakers said June 15 at a congressional hearing. (Source: Bloomberg)

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc. announced the delivery of its new 4,000 HP ASD tractor tug Michael S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 by 38 by 13.5-ft Michael S. is powered by two Cat 3516B main engines, producing 2,000 hp each at 1,600 RPM, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US205 MK2 z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 inch diameter by 82.4 inch pitch four blade stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 99 KW Marathon Mariner generators powered by John Deere 6068TFM76 engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch equipped with 500 ft of eight inch circumference Plasma line and a Washington Chain and Supply RSRH100 100-ton quick release tow hook.

Bisso Towboat Co., Inc., has taken delivery of a new 4,300 hp reverse z-drive ship-assist tug, Alma S. Constructed at Main Iron Works, Houma, LA, the 100 x 38 x 13.5 ft., Alma S. is powered by two EMD 16-645E6 main engines, producing 2150 hp, each at 900 rpm, which drive two Ulstein-Aquamaster US 2001 Z-drives. The Z-drives feature 90.6 in. diameter x 82.4 in. pitch stainless steel propellers set in stainless steel Kort Nozzles and the estimated bollard pull is 60 tons. Electrical service is provided by a pair of 100 KW generators powered by John Deere 6068TMGK engines. Deck equipment includes a Markey DYSF-42 hydraulic bow winch, with render/recovery feature and equipped with 500 ft. of 8 in. circumference Plasma line and a 100-ton Washington Chain and Supply quick-release tow hook.