Great Lakes coal loads fall 11.3% in May

   Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.6 million tons in May, a decrease of 11.3 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.
   Coal loads from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.6 million tons, just slightly below the level of a year ago. Included in that total were 250,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wis., and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Exports to Europe from Superior total 536,000 tons through May, the association said.
   Loadings in Chicago totaled 300,000 tons, a decrease of about 75,000 tons compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Erie ports totaled 650,000 tons, a decrease of 25 percent compared to a year ago.
   The association said year-to-date the Great Lakes coal trade stands at 5.4 million tons, a decrease of 13.5 percent compared to a year ago.
The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.