The major U.S.-Flag Lakes lines had 60 of their 70 vessels in service on December1. This represented a decrease of three hulls compared to a year ago. To date, four U.S.-Flag lakers have ended their 2000 navigation season. They are the small self-unloaders CALCITE II, GEORGE A. SLOAN and MYRON C. TAYLOR (all USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc.) and the cement carrier PAUL H. TOWNSEND.
According to current forecasts, lay-up is expected to follow normal patterns. The smaller and perhaps some mid-sized self-unloaders will lay-up before the first of the year, while the remainder of the fleet will sail into January. LCA will publish a lay-up list with date and location beginning in mid-December.
Year | Dry-Bulk Carriers | Cement Carriers | Tankers | Totals |
| 2000 | 50 | 5 | 5 | 60 |
| 1999 | 52 | 6 | 5 | 63 |