​​​​US-flag Cargo Movement on Great Lakes Dips 8%

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 9.26 million tons of cargo in September, a decrease of 8.3 percent compared to a year ago, the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) reported. The September float was also 6.6 percent below the month’s five-year average.

Iron ore cargos for steel production totaled 4.7 million tons, a decrease of 3.5 percent compared to a year ago, LCA said.

Coal loads totaled 1.25 million tons, a decrease of 33 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments of aggregate, fluxstone, chemical stone and scrubber stone totaled 2.85 million tons, an increase of 5.5 percent compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, U.S.-flag cargo movement stands at 57.6 million tons, a decrease of 4.8 percent compared to the same point in 2017. Iron ore cargos total 31.25 million tons, a decrease of 3.7 percent. Coal loadings total 7.75 million tons, a decrease of 17.6 percent. Limestone totals 15.7 million tons, an increase of 2.9 percent.