U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighter cargo volumes surge in March

A total of 1.75 million tons of cargo were transported by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters during the month, a 112 percent increase from March 2015.    U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 1.75 million tons of cargo in March, a 112 percent year-over-year increase, according to the Lakes Carriers’ Association, which represents 15 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
   Iron ore cargo transported by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters surged 154.7 percent from March 2015 to 1.36 million  tons.
   U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters also carried 133,155 tons of coal and 68,275 tons of limestone during the month, a year-over-year drop of 10 percent and 26.5 percent, respectively.
   Meanwhile cement volumes surged 278.5 percent from March 2015 to 182,913 tons.
   Overall, U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 4.07 million tons of cargo during the first three months of 2016, an 8 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2015.