Great Lakes dry bulk down in March

   U.S.-flag Great Lakes vessels carried 2.2 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in March, a decrease of 7 percent compared to 2012.
   However, the fleet’s March float was marginally ahead of the month’s 5-year average, the Lake Carriers’ Association reported.
   Iron ore shipments for the fleet rose slightly – 25,000 tons – compared to a year ago, but loadings of coal declined by more than 60 percent. The fleet’s limestone trade nearly doubled.
   Through the first quarter, U.S.-flag lakers have hauled 5.2 million tons of cargo, a decrease of almost 19 percent compared to the same point in 2012. Iron ore cargos are down by 13.4 percent. Coal loadings are down by more than 50 percent, but limestone is 61 percent ahead of last year’s pace.
   The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.