Great Lakes carriers float better on western coal in June

Great Lakes carriers float better on western coal in June    U.S.-flag Great Lakes carriers moved about 4.46 million net tons of coal in June, a slight increase compared to the same time last year.
   According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, the stronger trade was supported by western coal loadings at Superior Midwest Energy Terminal, which reached 2.1 million net tons in June, an increase of 13.8 percent compared to same period in 2002.
   Lake Erie ports, however, shipped about 1.86 million net tons of coal in June, a decrease of 11 percent compared to last June.
   For the first half of 2003, Great Lakes carriers transported about 13.2 million net tons of coal, a 14.4-percent decrease compared to the same period last year, and a 12.1-percent drop compared to the region’s five-year average.
   Other mainstay commodities for the Great Lakes, such as iron ore, stone and cement, also remain soft.