The Lake Carriers' Association reported Tuesday that US-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 10 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in June, a 5.3 increase over the previous month but a 3.3 percent decline over the June 2010.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry rose 12.2 percent year-on-year, while coal for power generation and steel production fell by 25.3 percent. Aggregate and fluxstone for the construction and steel industries slipped 7.2 percent year-over-year.
Through the first six months of 2011, US-flag cargos stand at 33.7 million tons--2.4 percent higher year-on-year. Iron ore cargos have increased 7.6 percent; however, coal and limestone are down 2.8 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively.