US-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 7.9 million tons of cargo in November, a decrease of 15 percent compared to both a year ago and the month’s long-term average, according to a report Tuesday from the Lake Carriers’ Association.
Iron ore cargos decreased 22 percent in November compared to a year ago. Coal cargos fell 16 percent. Limestone loadings dipped 5 percent.
Year-to-date US-flag cargos total 79.8 million tons, a decrease of 1 percent compared to the same point in 2014, and a drop of 3 percent compared to the long-term average for the January-November timeframe. Iron ore cargos have decreased 8 percent compared to a year ago. Coal shipments are up 4 percent. Limestone loadings have increased 8 percent.