U.S. Laker fleet busier

U.S. Laker fleet busier    U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 10.36 million net tons of cargo in June, a 5 percent increase compared to May, and a 39 percent jump compared to June 2009.
   This June's total was, however, down 3.7 percent from the month's five-year average.
   The Laker Carriers’ Association said about twice as much iron ore moved in June when compared to June 2009, coal loadings were up 5.3 percent, and limestone cargo was up 50 percent.
   Year-to-date U.S.-flag cargo stands at nearly 32.9 million net tons, an increase of 57.5 percent compared to a year ago, but 10.2 percent behind the five-year average for the first half of the year.