Great Lakes carriers see volumes rise in August

U.S.-flag freighters transported 11 million tons of cargo in August, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.

   U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 11 million tons of cargo in August, their second-highest monthly total in two years, according to the Cleveland-based Lake Carriers’ Association.  
   The August float, while down 3.2 percent from July, also represents an increase of 5 percent compared to a year ago, the association said.  
   Iron ore for steel production totaled 5.5 million tons, an increase of 23 percent compared to a year ago. 
   “Higher water levels again allowed some cargoes to approach 70,000 tons, but with 18 million cubic yards of sediment clogging ports and waterways, the industry continues to surrender carrying capacity to the dredging crisis,” LCA said in a statement. “The top ore loads in August were still about 3,000 tons short of what vessels were carrying in 1997, a period of near record-high water levels.”
   Coal cargoes reached 2 million tons, a drop of 19 percent compared to the same period last year, and limestone shipments totaled 2.8 million tons, a decrease of 7 percent compared to last year.
   “Year-to-date, U.S.-flag cargo movement stands at 49.4 million tons, a decrease of 7.7 percent compared to a year ago,” the association said.
   LCA represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.