The active U.S.-Flag Lakes fleet numbered a mere 28 vessels on January 1. That's a decrease of 11 hulls compared to a year ago and 23 vessels compared to January 1, 2000. As of today (January 3), three more vessels have ended their season.
As this website has stated all season long, unfair trade in steel is negating the gains that U.S.-Flag Great Lakes shipping made in the early and mid-1990s and the Bush Administration must restore order to the world steel trade or the depression in steel and its supplier industries will worsen.
Year | Dry-Bulk Carriers | Cement Carriers | Tankers | Total |
2002 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 28 |
2001 | 29 | 4 | 6 | 39 |