Posted:
May 21, 2015
U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters moved 6.7 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in April, a decrease of nearly 6 percent when compared with the month's five-year average. Another brutal winter again spawned heavy ice formations throughout the Lakes, slowing the vessels that were put into service and delaying sailing dates for others, the Lake Carriers' Association reported.
With five of the six U.S. iron ore loading ports on Lake Superior, it follows that the iron ore trade was most affected by the ice fields. Shipments totaled 3.4 million tons in April, a decrease of 10 percent compared with the month's five-year average. The ice in Whitefish Bay at the eastern end of Lake Superior was particularly daunting and many vessels bound for Duluth/Superior, Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Marquette had to wait until U.S. and Canadian icebreakers could lead them through the ice field, the LCA reported.
Coal cargos in U.S.-flagged lakers totaled 1.3 million tons in April, a decrease of 8 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments of limestone nearly equaled their five-year average.
The anemic cargo totals recorded in April 2014 distort the five-year average. If April 2014 were to be discounted, cargo totals would now be substantially below their long-term average. Iron ore and coal are 20 percent below their average for the years 2010 to 2013. Limestone lags its 2010-to-2013 average by 6 percent, the LCA reported.
The House of Representatives has addressed the clear need for more U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking resources on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 1987) includes a provision authored by Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) that directs the Coast Guard to design and build a new multi-mission icebreaker to strengthen its capabilities on the Lakes. The next step is for the Senate to approve a Coast Guard Authorization Act, the LCA reported.
Heavy ice weighs down U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo float in April
U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters moved 6.7 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in April, a decrease of nearly 6 percent when compared with the month's five-year average. Another brutal winter again spawned heavy ice formations throughout the Lakes, slowing the vessels that were put into service and delaying sailing dates for others, the Lake Carriers' Association reported.
With five of the six U.S. iron ore loading ports on Lake Superior, it follows that the iron ore trade was most affected by the ice fields. Shipments totaled 3.4 million tons in April, a decrease of 10 percent compared with the month's five-year average. The ice in Whitefish Bay at the eastern end of Lake Superior was particularly daunting and many vessels bound for Duluth/Superior, Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Marquette had to wait until U.S. and Canadian icebreakers could lead them through the ice field, the LCA reported.
Coal cargos in U.S.-flagged lakers totaled 1.3 million tons in April, a decrease of 8 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments of limestone nearly equaled their five-year average.
The anemic cargo totals recorded in April 2014 distort the five-year average. If April 2014 were to be discounted, cargo totals would now be substantially below their long-term average. Iron ore and coal are 20 percent below their average for the years 2010 to 2013. Limestone lags its 2010-to-2013 average by 6 percent, the LCA reported.
The House of Representatives has addressed the clear need for more U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking resources on the Great Lakes. The Coast Guard Authorization Act (H.R. 1987) includes a provision authored by Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) that directs the Coast Guard to design and build a new multi-mission icebreaker to strengthen its capabilities on the Lakes. The next step is for the Senate to approve a Coast Guard Authorization Act, the LCA reported.