U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters moved 8.4 million tons of cargo in November, an increase of 6.7 percent compared to a year ago. However, the November float was 6.7 percent below the month’s five-year average.
Iron ore cargoes for the steel industry totaled 4.7 million tons in November, an increase of 29.6 percent compared to a year ago. However, coal shipments to power plants and steel mills fell to 1.2 million tons, a decrease of more than 20 percent. Aggregate and fluxstone for construction projects and steel production totaled 2 million tons, a decrease of nearly 10 percent compared to a year ago.

Year-over-year, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 76.2 million tons, a decrease of 4.5 percent. Iron ore cargoes are up 6.6 percent, but coal loads have dipped 25.8 percent. Limestone shipments trail last year by 7 percent.

Source: Lake Carriers’ Association December 19, 2016