The Lake Carriers' Association announced Monday that US-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 2.35 million tons of cargo in March, a decrease of 110,000 tons, or 4 percent, compared to a year ago. Cargos in March were still up 10 percent compared to the month's five-year average.
Iron ore cargos for the steel industry decreased 14 percent compared to a year ago, but coal loadings held even and limestone cargos more than tripled last March's volume.
Year-to-date US-flag cargos total 6.4 million tons, an increase of 8 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments are 27 percent ahead of the five-year average for Q1.