MERC Ships 500 Millionth Ton of Coal
Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC) transshipped its 500 millionth ton of coal on Monday, December 14, 2015, with the loading of Interlake Steamship Company’s M/V Paul R. Tregurtha for the DTE Electric Company. MERC, which began operations in 1976, transshipped its 100 millionth ton of U.S. western low-sulfur coal in 1991, 200 millionth ton in 1998, 300 millionth ton in 2004 and 400 millionth in 2009. “The 500 millionth ton transshipped on December 14 represents another significant MERC milestone along with the loading and transshipment of our 10…
St. Lawrence Seaway Overall Tonnage Down for 2013
The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22-September 30 were 23 million metric tons. While this number is down 11% over the same period in 2012, U.S. ports continue to beat the odds with increased tonnage in several cargo categories. "At least a dozen ships from Europe unloaded steel products at the ports of Cleveland, Milwaukee, Burns Harbor and Detroit over the past month; a clear sign that the end of the navigation season…
Strong & Steady Start for Seaway
Positive Outlook as St. Lawrence Seaway Opens the 2012 Season. The steel and construction industries pushed the demand for North American commodities such as iron ore, stone and cement, and provided the 2012 shipping season with a solid start. The St. Lawrence Seaway reported that year-to-date total cargo shipments for the period March 22 to April 30 were 4.4 million metric tons, up 2.24 percent over the same period in 2011. “Coal shipments, the Seaway’s second largest commodity by tonnage for more than a decade…
U.S. Ports Defy Slower August Trend – Report Positive Tonnage
U.S. ports reported upticks in tonnage during the normal summer slowdown period. The Seaway’s year-to-date total cargo shipments from March 22 to August 31 were 22 million metric tons, up 3.5 percent from the same period last year. “In addition to the cargo shipments increase, vessel transits are up 9 percent from a year ago with the best performers in August being petroleum products, scrap metal and salt. This number shows that the marine trade, even in today’s tough economic times…
