U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighter volumes decline in October

A total of 9.7 million tons of cargo were transported by U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters in October, which represents a 13.7 percent decline from October 2014.    U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 9.7 million tons of cargo in October, a 13.7 percent decline from Oct. 2014, according to the Lakes Carriers’ Association, which represents 15 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
   Iron ore cargos and coal cargos carried by the freighters during October fell 21.8 percent and 7 percent year-over-year, respectively, while limestone loadings dropped a little over 1 percent from last October.
   U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters transported 71.9 million tons of cargo year-to-date, a 0.9 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2014.
   Year-to-date iron ore cargos transported by the freighters decreased 6.3 percent in October. However, coal cargos and limestone loadings rose 6.5 percent and 10 percent, respectively.