US-flag Lakes Cargo Volumes Dip in May

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 9.5 million tons of cargo in May, a decrease of 12.5 percent compared to a year ago, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reported. The May float was also 5 percent below the month’s five-year average.

 

Iron ore cargos for the steel industry totaled 4.7 million tons, a decrease of 12.4 percent compared to a year. Coal shipments to power plants and steel mills fell to 1.4 million tons, a decrease of nearly 28 percent. Limestone loads for construction projects and steel production totaled 2.9 million tons, a virtual repeat of a year ago.

 

Year-to-date, LCA said U.S.-flag carriage stands at 20.9 million tons, a decrease of 2 percent compared to the same point in 2015. Iron ore cargos are up 7 percent, but coal cargos have dipped 28 percent.  Limestone shipments are essentially on pace with a year ago.