U.S.-flag lakers’ cargo up 3.2% in October

   U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 9.8 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in October, a weather-driven decrease of 3 percent compared to September, but an increase of 3.2 percent compared to a year ago.
   The October float was 5 percent below the month’s 5-year average, but the decrease partially reflects the significant weather-related delays the fleet experienced, said the Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents 17 American companies that operate 55 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes
   Iron ore cargo for the steel industry increased 12.8 percent compared to a year ago. Limestone cargo for construction, steel production, and environmental applications inched passed a year ago, but coal for power generation and steel production was down 10 percent.
   Through October, U.S.-flag cargo stands at 75 million tons for the year, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to the same point in 2010. Iron ore has increased 10.6 percent and limestone cargo continues to advance beyond last year’s level, but coal is down by 6.8 percent. Compared to the 5-year average for the January-October time frame, U.S.-flag cargo is down 2 percent.