Iron ore volumes sink in July for U.S.-flag lakers

Iron ore loadings by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters in July 2015 dropped 10 percent compared with July 2014.    Iron ore loadings by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters took a year-over-year drop of 10 percent in July to 4.7 million tons, according to the Lakes Carriers’ Association, which represents 16 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels.
   In addition, U.S.-flag lakers’ limestone shipments fell 5.6 percent year-over-year in July.
   Total cargo movements in U.S. hulls totaled 10.9 million tons for the month, a year-over-year decrease of 4 percent.
   The MacArthur Lock malfunction at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. did not have a major impact on these July totals, the LCA said. Between July 29, when the lock closed, to midnight July 31, six U.S.-flag lakers and 250,000 tons of cargo were delayed approximately 13 hours.
   The lock reopened Aug. 17. During the 20 day closure, 79 U.S.-flag lakers and 1.9 million tons of cargo were delayed approximately 160 hours.
   Year-to-date, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 42.5 million tons, a year-over-year increase of 10.7 percent. Iron ore, coal and limestone reported increases over their end-of-July totals in 2014, primarily a result of the severe ice season last year.