U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighter volumes sink in May

Cargo volumes carried by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters slipped 12.5 percent year-over-year in May, largely due to sharp declines in iron ore and coal volumes.    U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 9.5 million tons of cargo in May, a 12.5 percent decline from May 2015, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.
   Founded in 1880, the association currently represents 14 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
   During the month, the U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 4.7 million tons of iron ore and 1.4 million tons of coal, a year-over-year drop of 12.4 percent and 28 percent, respectively.
   In addition, limestone volumes carried by these freighters in May slipped 1.1 percent from the prior May to 2.9 million tons.
   Cement volumes for the month totaled 324,584 tons, while sand volumes reached 48,412 tons, a year-over-year drop of 3.7 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively.
   Meanwhile, U.S.-flag freighters on the Great Lakes saw salt volumes sink 54.5 percent year-over-year to 91,803 tons.
   Overall, U.S.-flag freighters on the Great Lakes transported 20.9 million tons of cargo on a year-to-date basis, a 2 percent decline from the corresponding period in 2015.