U.S.-Flag Cargo Trends

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 10 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in June, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to May, but a decrease of 3.3 percent compared to a year ago.  The June “float” was also 3.9 percent below the month’s 5-year average. Iron ore cargos for the steel industry have increased by 12.2 percent over the past year.  Coal for power generation and steel production fell by 25.3 percent.  Aggregate and fluxstone for the construction and steel industries slipped by 7.2 percent. Through June, U.S.-flag cargos stand at 33.7 million tons, an increase of 2.4 percent compared to the same point in 2010.  Iron ore has increased 7.6 percent, but coal and limestone are down by 2.8 percent and 4.9 percent respectively. Compared to the 5-year average for the first half of the year, U.S.-flag cargos are down 3.5 percent.