US-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 10.5 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in August, an increase of more than 1 million tons, or 10.6 percent, compared to a year ago, according to a report from the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA). The August float was also on par with the month's long-term average and slightly ahead of July's 10.3 million-ton total.
US-flag lakers moved 4.5 million tons of iron ore in August, 77.5 percent of all ore moving on the Lakes/Seaway that month. The 4.5 million tons represent a virtual repeat of a year ago, but a slight decrease compared to the month's long-term average.