The following article was released by Lake Carriers' Association.

CLEVELAND - U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 81.8 million tons of cargo in 2021, an increase of 16.8 percent compared to 2020. The 2021 float was less than 1 percent below the fleet's five-year average.

Iron ore cargoes totaled 41.7 million tons, an increase of 12.4 percent compared to a year earlier.

Shipments of all other commodities increased as well in 2021. Coal cargoes were up 42.7 percent to 10.4 million tons. Limestone and cement shipments increased by 16.7 and nearly 5 percent, respectively. Salt cargoes were up by 34.2 percent. Shipments of sand were up by 21.6 percent, while grain cargoes increased by 16.3 percent.