U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers rebound in 2004

U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers rebound in 2004

   U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers experienced a rebound in transported tonnage in 2004.

   These carriers’ ships hauled 111 million net tons of dry bulk cargo, a 17 percent over 2003 and more than 6 percent ahead of the fleet’s five-year average, according to the Cleveland-based Lake Carriers’ Association.

   “All in all, a much better year,” said Glen G. Nekvasil, vice president of the Lake Carriers’ Association, Wednesday.

   The association represents 15 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes. Collectively these ships can transport up to 125 million tons of cargo a year.

   Iron ore cargoes for the steel industry recorded the largest increase in tonnage for 2004. U.S.-flag Great Lake ships loaded 51.2 million net tons of iron ore, a 19 percent increase over 2003.

   Limestone cargoes recorded the largest percentage increase, nearly 22 percent compared to 2003 and about 10 percent ahead of the commodity’s five-year average. The 29.5 million net tons of aggregate and fluxstone moved by the U.S.-flag Great Lakes ships also represents the largest total for the fleet since 1998.

   Strong demand for western, low-sulfur coal broke records for U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers in 2004. Loadings at Superior Midwest Energy Terminal at Superior, Wis., reached their highest level since the facility opened in 1976 at 15.5 million net tons. The 3.7 million tons coal loaded at KCBX Terminals Co. in Chicago is the most handled by U.S.-flag Great Lake ships on Lake Michigan in many years, the Lake Carriers’ Association said.

   Other commodities transported by U.S.-flag Great Lakes vessels, including cement, salt, sand and grain, corresponded with their five-year average. “Only salt differed noticeably from the five-year average, but demand for that cargo is largely determined by the severity of winter in the region,” the association said.

   Only two U.S.-flag Great Lakes ships were idle in 2004. They were the small self-unloader “Maumee,” and the mid-sized self-unloader “Courtney Burton.” Returning to service in 2004 was the mid-sized self-unloader “Richard Reiss.” This vessel sailed in late March. The self-unloader “Buckeye” started service at the end of September to meet the “surge in demand” for iron ore, the Lake Carriers’ Association said.