U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo flat in October

U.S.-flag Great Lakes cargo flat in October Dry bulk shipments on the Great Lakes by U.S.-flag vessels improved marginally in October to 11.15 million tons, up 0.4 percent compared to 11.11 million tons in the same month last year.
   The Cleveland-based Lake Carriers' Association, which represents 18 American companies operating 63 U.S.-flag vessels, said the lack of dredging and low water levels account for the stagnant total. The association highlighted that in the coal trade, inadequate dredging meant not one cargo load approached 65,000 tons, even thought the largest U.S.-flag Lakers can carry nearly 71,000 tons in a single trip.
   Through October, U.S.-flag carriage on the Great Lakes stood at 84.95 million tons, a 4.7 percent decrease from the same point in 2006, but roughly on a par with the five-year average for the January-October timeframe.