Posted: May 31, 2019

U.S.-flag cargo movement on Lakes up 23 percent in April


U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters moved 7.5 million tons of cargo in April, an increase of 23 percent compared with the previous year. The April float was 20.7 percent above the month's five-year average, the Lake Carriers' Association reported.

April iron ore cargoes for steel production totaled 4.3 million tons, an increase of 9.2 percent from last year and an increase of 18 percent from the month's five-year average.

Coal shipments rose 61.3 percent to 1.2 million tons. Limestone cargoes increased 37 percent to 1.5 million tons.

At the end of April, U.S.-flag carriage for the year stood at 11.8 million tons, an increase of 25 percent compared with the same point in 2018. Iron ore cargoes totaled 7.7 million tons, an increase of 13.6 percent. Coal loadings nearly doubled to 1.6 million tons. Limestone cargoes had also increased to 1.7 million tons.