U.S.-flag Great Lakes ?10 cargo up 33.4%

U.S.-flag Great Lakes Æ10 cargo up 33.4%    The Lake Carriers' Association reported that U.S.-flag freighters plying the Great Lakes carried 88.7 million tons of dry bulk cargo in 2010, a 33.4 percent increase over 2009.
   However, these shipments were off nearly 10 percent from the industry's five-year average due to the economic recession.
   The association noted that the largest increase in 2010 came in iron ore cargoes for the steel industry. Shipments in U.S.-flag lakers increased 75 percent to 42 million tons. 'Again, however, the rebound has to be put in perspective. In 2009 iron ore shipments from ports fell to their lowest level since 1938,' the association said.
   Coal cargos carried in U.S.-flag hulls rose 4.1 percent to 21.5 million tons, but fell short of the trade's five-year average by almost 13 percent. Shipments of limestone (aggregate and fluxstone)improved 19.6 percent to 20.4 million tons, but was nearly 18 percent below the trade's five-year average.
   According to the association, cement cargos slipped by about 80,000 tons, salt loadings increased by 130,000 tons, and sand cargos dipped slightly. Grain loadings were on par with 2009 volumes.