U.S.-Flag lakers moved more than 14 million net tons of dry- and liquid-bulk cargos in July, the highest monthly total recorded yet this season, and an increase of 3.7 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.
Iron ore cargos in U.S. bottoms increased 4.7 percent to 6.6 million tons. For the season, the U.S.-Flag ore "float" stands at 28,250,670 tons, an increase of 6.9 percent.
The July coal trade in U.S.-Flag lakers totaled 2.7 million tons, an increase of 4.3 percent. Strong demand from utilities has pushed the season-to-date total up 21.6 percent to 10.5 million tons.
The U.S.-Flag stone float in July was 3.9 million tons, one of the highest monthly totals on record, and an increase of 6 percent compared to last July. For the season, stone loadings in U.S. bottoms stand at 13,355,852 tons, an increase of 11.9 percent.
With the June 13 sailing of the CALCITE II (USS Great Lakes Fleet, Inc.), all boom-type self-unloaders are in service. The only U.S.-Flag ships yet to sail this year are the small cement carriers E. M. FORD and S. T. CRAPO (both of which are currently holding storage cargos of cement) and the straight-decker KINSMAN ENTERPRISE.
| Commodity | July 1997 |
July 1996 |
Season to Date 1997 |
Season to Date 1996 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | 6,596,182 | 6,299,837 | 28,250,670 | 26,423,508 |
| Coal - Western | 1,604,910 | 1,746,315 | 6,310,650 | 5,452,523 |
| Coal, Coke - Eastern | 1,097,075 | 843,339 | 4,240,131 | 3,225,441 |
| Total - Coal | 2,701,985 | 2,589,654 | 10,550,781 | 8,677,964 |
| Limestone, Gypsum | 3,907,783 | 3,687,941 | 13,355,852 | 11,936,486 |
| Cement, Potash | 483,215 | 510,7500 | 1,907,637 | 1,709,677 |
| Salt | 113,650 | 159,280 | 490,574 | 590,533 |
| Sand | 49,347 | 37,086 | 136,264 | 125,394 |
| Grain | 64,530 | 57,476 | 293,091 | 213,111 |
| Liquid Bulk | 165,072 | 238,784 | 1,205,790 | 1,425,683 |
| Totals - All Commodities | 14,081,764 | 13,580,808 | 56,190,659 | 51,102,326 |
| Liquid Bulk - Barrels | 1,115,891 | 1,614,178 | 8,150,837 | 9,637,624 |
Note: Given the limited number of gypsum producers, that commodity must be combined with limestone to insure confidentiality. Since tankers operate year-round, that trade is reported on a calendar year basis. July Liquid Bulk incomplete
This survey represents carriage by the members of Lake Carriers' Association, Kinsman Lines, Hannah Marine Corp., Andrie, Inc. (cement only), Upper Lakes Barge, Upper Lakes Towing and Merce Transportation.