U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighter cargo volumes rise 9.7% in April

Although the U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried more iron ore and grain during the month, in comparison to April 2015, the freighters shipped less coal, limestone, cement and salt.    U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 7.3 million tons of cargo in April, a 9.7 percent increase from April 2015, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).
   Although the U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried more iron ore and grain during the month, in comparison to April 2015, the freighters shipped less coal, limestone, cement and salt.
   U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 4.4 million tons of iron ore and 25,200 tons of grain in April, a year-over-year increase of 30.1 percent and 3.7 percent, respectively.
   Meanwhile, the freighters saw limestone volumes sink 4 percent from April 2015 to 1.4 million tons. In addition, coal shipments carried by the freighters fell 10.7 percent to 1.2 million tons, while cement volumes dropped 37.9 percent to 216,257 net tons and salt volumes tumbled 46 percent to 54,702 tons.
   Water levels on all five Great Lakes are currently above the long-term average, but full loads remain elusive, according to the LCA. “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that approximately 17 million cubic yards of sediment still clog the Great Lakes Navigation System,” the LCA said. “Only dredging, not temporarily high water levels, will permit vessels to carry full loads.