US-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 10.1 million tons of dry bulk cargo in September, according to the Lake Carriers' Association. September shipments represent a 2.7 percent decline from August, but a 7.6 percent increase from last year.
Iron ore shipments were 6.4 million tons in September, a 2.3 percent decrease from August but up nearly 20 percent compared to September 2010. Shipments from US ports totaled 5.6 million tons, an increase of nearly 29 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian ports were virtually unchanged from a year ago. Through September the iron ore trade stands at 43.1 million tons, an increase of 10.5 percent compared to a year ago, and 11 percent better than the 5-year average for the first three quarters.
Limestone cargos rose nearly 5 percent in September while coal shipments were virtually unchanged.
Year-to-date cargo shipments on the US Great Lakes total 65.2 million tons, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to the same point in 2010. Iron ore has increased 10.3 percent and limestone cargos continue to slowly climb over last year's levels, but coal is down by 6.2 percent.