The Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) issued the following news release on June 21.
U.S.-Flag Shipping on Lakes in May Near Carbon Copy of a Year Ago
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 9.5 million tons of cargo on the Great Lakes in May, a virtual repeat of a year ago. The float totaled 9,496,663 tons this May and 9,473,709 tons a year ago. This May’s shipments were, however, down 5 percent from the month’s long-term average.
Iron ore cargos for steelmakers totaled 4.9 million tons, an increase of 4 percent compared to a year ago.
Coal loadings were little changed in May. Shipments totaled 1,435,400 tons, an increase of 36,953 tons.
Limestone cargos hauled in U.S. bottoms totaled 2.7 million tons, a decrease of 7 percent compared to a year ago.
Year-to-date U.S.-flag cargos total 20,833,120 tons, again a virtual tie with a year ago. Iron ore shipments have increased 6.5 percent to 12.9 million tons. Coal cargos mirror a year ago: 2.9 million tons. However, shipments of aggregate, fluxstone and scrubber stone – 3.9 million tons – have dipped nearly 15 percent.
Lake Carriers’ Association represents 13 American companies that operate 49 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation’s economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, aggregate and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation, as well as salt, sand and grain. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 100 million tons of cargo per year. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
# # #
Comments are closed.