Led by strong increases in iron ore and stone cargos, U.S.-Flag lakers moved 13.9 million net tons of dry-bulk cargos in June, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to the same period last year. For the season, U.S.-Flag carriage stands at 44,251,492 tons, an increase of 7.8 percent over the benchmark 1997 shipping season. If this pace continues for the remainder of the '98 season, last year's modern-day record of 125.2 million tons in U.S. bottoms will be easily eclipsed.
Iron ore cargos for the booming steel industry totaled 7 million tons in June, an increase of 8.3 percent over the corresponding period last year. Since the resumption of iron ore shipments in early March, loadings in U.S.-Flag lakers stand at 23,353,570 tons, an increase of 7.8 percent.
Strong demand from steel and the construction industry pushed stone cargos in U.S. bottoms over 3.7 million tons, an increase of 9.7 percent. With the mild winter allowing the stone trade to resume weeks ahead of schedule, the season-to-date total, 11.3 million tons, represents an increase of 19.4 percent.
Coal loadings in U.S.-Flag lakers, both in June and for the season, are slightly behind last year. The mild winter reduced coal consumption at power plants, so there has not been so great a need to replenish stockpiles. The heat wave that embraced the Great Lakes region in July could increase the coal float.
U.S.-Flag operators continue to utilize virtually every serviceable hull. The only vessels not to sail so far this season are a small cement carrier (E. M. FORD) and a grain carrier (KINSMAN ENTERPRISE). Lack of cargo idled the one U.S.-Flag grain carrier activated this spring in early June. No firm sail date has been announced for the KINSMAN INDEPENDENT.
| Commodity | June 1998 |
June 1997 |
Season to Date 1998 |
Season to Date 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | 6,990,973 | 6,451,913 | 23,353,570 | 21,654,488 |
| Coal - Western | 1,514,731 | 1,765,651 | 4,696,264 | 4,705,740 |
| Coal, Coke - Eastern | 1,057,122 | 892,098 | 2,866,306 | 3,143,056 |
| Total - Coal | 2,571,853 | 2,657,749 | 7,562,570 | 7,848,796 |
| Limestone, Gypsum | 3,726,480 | 3,395,082 | 11,282,856 | 9,448,069 |
| Cement | 420,254 | 492,654 | 1,413,786 | 1,424,422 |
| Salt | 149,484 | 91,769 | 469,568 | 376,924 |
| Sand | 35,461 | 41,114 | 75,523 | 86,917 |
| Grain | 18,647 | 66,824 | 93,619 | 228,561 |
| Totals - All Commodities | 13,913,152 | 13,197,105 | 44,251,492 | 41,068,177 |
Notes: Given the limited number of gypsum producers (two), that commodity must be combined with limestone to insure confidentiality. Cargo totals represent the members of Lake Carriers' Association and the following: Great Lakes Associates; Upper Lakes Barge; Upper Lakes Towing; Andrie, Inc. (cement only); and Merce Transportation.
The tracking of liquid-bulk cargos has been suspended pending implementation of a new reporting system.