Great Lakes cargo slips in 2005

Great Lakes cargo slips in 2005    U.S.-flag members of the Lake Carriers' Association (LCA) moved 107.7 million tons of dry-bulk cargo on the Great Lakes in 2005, a 3.3 percent decrease from 111.3 million tons in 2004.
   Yet, 'the 2005 float was nearly three million tons ahead of the industry's five-year average,' the LCA said in a statement.
   The gap between 2004 and 2005 would have been narrower had it not been for bad weather in November, a month in which Lakes vessels were forced to anchor for more than 4,500 hours.
   The star performer for dry-bulk cargo in 2005 was low-sulfur coal shipped from Superior, Wis. 'Loadings in U.S. bottoms approached 17.5 million tons, or nearly two million tons better than the record established in 2004,' the LCA said.
   Another record for 2005 was the 9.3 million tons of cargo carried between the United States and Canada, the highest total since the association began to track this movement in 1994.
   Steel trade slipped 6.5 percent. As a result of reduced steel production, iron ore cargoes in 2005 on the Great Lakes fell 9 percent to 46.5 million tons in 2005, down from 51.2 million tons in 2004.
   The slowdown in steel, coupled with a sluggish construction industry, was also a factor in the decrease on shipments of limestone, which dropped 6.5 percent to 27.9 million tons from 29.8 million tons in 2004.
   Total coal shipments increased to 27.2 million tons from 24.4 million tons in 2004.
   Cleveland-based LCA represents 13 American companies that operate 55 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes. Members are American Steamship Co., Central Marine Logistics, Grand River Navigation Co., Great Lakes Fleet/Key Lakes, HMC Ship Management, Inland lakes Management, Interlake Steamship Co., Lake Michigan Carferry Service, Oglebay Norton Marine Services Co., Pere Marquette Shipping Co., Soo Marine Supply, Upper Lakes Towing Co., and VanEnkevort Tug & Barge.