U.S.-Flag Lakers’ Cargo Up Nearly 12 Percent in November

CLEVELAND—U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 10 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in November, an increase of 2.4 percent compared to October, and an increase of 11.9 percent compared to a year ago.

The November float was also 3.8 percent above the month’s 5-year average.

Iron ore cargos for the steel industry increased 14 percent compared to a year ago.  Limestone cargos for construction, steel production, and environmental applications jumped more than 20 percent, but coal was essentially unchanged from a year ago.

Through November U.S.-flag cargos stand at 85 million tons, an increase of 4.6 percent compared to the same point in 2010.  Iron ore has increased 11 percent and limestone cargos are now 3 percent ahead of last year’s pace, but coal is down by 5.9 percent.

Compared to the 5-year average for the January-November timeframe, U.S.-flag cargos are down 1.4 percent.

Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes that 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 per year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging.  These cargos generate more than 103,000 jobs with an average wage of $47,000 in the United States.

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association

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