According to a report released Tuesday from the Lake Carriers' Association, US-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 8.7 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in November, a decrease of 4.7 percent compared to a year ago. The total was also 8.7 percent below November's long-term average, and down 11.2 percent from the 9.8 million tons the fleet moved in October. Weather delays were a factor in the decreases.
US-flag lakers moved 3.8 million tons of iron ore in November, 68.2 percent of all ore moving on the Lakes/Seaway that month. The 3.8 million tons represent an 8.5 percent decrease from a year ago, and a 10.1 percent decrease compared to November's long-term average.
Coal shipments in US hulls totaled 2.2 million tons in November, a slight decrease from a year ago, and 8.3 percent below the month's long-term average.
The 2.3 million tons of limestone hauled by US-flag lakers in November represented a slight increase over a year ago, but fell short of the month's long-term average by 5.5 percent.
Through November the US-flag float stands at 82 million tons, a marginal increase compared to a year ago. Iron ore and limestone are slightly behind last year's pace, but coal cargos have increased by 3.8 percent.