AMO Currents - U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo float up 33.4 percent over 2009

AMO Currents - Posted: January 20, 2011

U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo float up 33.4 percent over 2009

U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters transported 88.7 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in 2010, a 33.4 percent jump over totals from 2009, the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA) reported.

Despite strong improvements over the previous year, total shipments for 2010 were down nearly 10 percent from the U.S.-flag five-year average mark, a reflection of the struggling regional and national economies.

Iron ore shipments saw the greatest increase in volume, totaling 42 million tons, a gain of 75 percent compared with 2009. These numbers should be taken "in perspective," as 2009 iron ore shipments on the Lakes were at their lowest level since 1938, the LCA cautioned.

U.S.-flagged lakers carried 21.5 million tons of coal in 2010, an increase of 4.1 percent compared with 2009, but down nearly 13 percent from the five-year average. The limestone float totaled 20.4 million tons, an increase of 19.6 percent over 2009, but nearly 18 percent below the five-year average mark.