AMO Currents - March cargo float increases four-fold on Great Lakes

AMO Currents - Posted: April 15, 2010

March cargo float increases four-fold on Great Lakes

With steel recovering significantly and the economy as a whole pushing forward, U.S.-flagged lakers carried 2.6 million tons of cargo in March, more than four times the volume moved a year ago, the Lake Carriers' Association reported.

Steel accounted for the majority of tonnage on the lakes, with U.S. hulls moving 2.08 million tons in March, more than a five-fold increase from 2009. Coal loadings also showed massive improvement, almost a six-fold increase from 2009, the LCA reported.

According to the LCA, all eight U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking vessels stationed on the lakes were active in March. The Coast Guard also transferred an East Coast icebreaker, Penobscot Bay, to aid in icebreaking.

On April 1, 32 U.S.-flagged lakers were operating on the Lakes, compared with only 17 at the same time last year, the LCA noted.