U.S.-flag cargo movement on Lakes down 6.4 percent in June

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters moved 9.65 million tons of cargo in June, a decrease of 6.4 percent compared to a year ago. The June float was also 5 percent below the month’s five-year average.

Iron ore cargoes for the steel industry totaled 4.8 million tons, an increase of 8 percent compared to a year ago. Coal shipments to power plants and steel mills fell to 1.5 million tons, a decrease of nearly 28 percent. Limestone loads for construction projects and steel production totaled 2.9 million tons, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 30.5 million tons, a decrease of 2 percent compared to the same point in 2015. Iron ore cargoes are up 7.2 percent, but coal cargoes have dipped 28 percent. Limestone shipments trail last year by 2.3 percent.