The following is the text of a press release issued by the Lake Carriers’ Association:
(CLEVELAND) — U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 10,550,379 net tons of cargo in July, an increase of 2 percent compared to June, and an increase of 40 percent compared to a year ago.
Iron ore cargos in July increased 70 percent compared to a year ago. Coal loadings were up 16.2 percent. Limestone cargos increased 40.2 percent.
Year-to-date U.S.-flag cargos stand at 43,437,768 net tons, an increase of 53 percent compared to a year ago, but 9 percent behind the 5-year average for the first seven months of the year. Iron ore cargos are up 119 percent. Coal is 5.7 percent ahead of last year’s pace. Limestone cargos are up 38.7 percent.
Lake Carriers’ Association represents 18 American companies that operate 55 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…. Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo a year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
