U.S.-flag Lakes cargoes down almost 10 percent in July

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters moved 9.85 million tons of cargo in July, a decrease of 9.5 percent compared to a year ago. The July float was also 9 percent below the month’s five-year average.

Iron ore cargoes for the steel industry totaled 4.6 million tons, a decrease of 3.4 percent compared to a year ago. Coal shipments to power plants and steel mills fell to 1.7 million tons, a decrease of 25 percent. Limestone loads for construction projects and steel production totaled 2.9 million tons, a decrease of 10 percent compared to a year ago.

Year-to-date, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 40.4 million tons, a decrease of 5 percent compared to the same point in 2015. Iron ore cargoes are up 4.8 percent, but coal cargoes have dipped 27 percent. Limestone shipments trail last year by 4.5 percent.