Lake Carriers' Association
Rising Water Levels Boost U.S.-Flag Lakes Total In July
Higher water levels on the Great Lakes were a major factor in a dramatic increase in U.S.-flag carriage in July. With Lake levels up anywhere from 2 to 12 inches compared to a year ago, U.S.-flag lakers were able to load 12.4 million net tons of dry-bulk cargo in July, an increase of 20 percent over the corresponding period last year, and 5.1 percent better than the month's 5-year average.
Rising Lake levels most noticeably impacted the 1,000-foot-long U.S.-flag lakers in the iron ore and western coal trades. Vessels this size (there are 13 such "supercarriers" in the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet) gain as much as 270 tons of cargo for each additional inch of loaded draft. Some 1,000-footers moving iron ore from Lake Superior ports to lower Lake Michigan steel mills had their loads increased by as much as 2,845 net tons compared to a year ago. The average cargo for 1,000-footers engaged in hauling western coal from Lake Superior to power plants along the St. Clair River and north shore of Lake Erie approached 66,100 net tons, an increase of nearly 2,400 net tons.
Smaller U.S.-flag lakers in the short haul coal and stone trades also benefited from the higher water levels. A 635-foot-long vessel moving coal from Lake Michigan to a Lake Huron port gained 1,162 net tons on one trip. Similar-sized vessels loading limestone at a Lake Huron port for delivery to Lake Erie ports carried as much as 1,400 tons more per trip compared to a year ago.
Another factor in the surge in U.S.-flag carriage was the number of vessels in service during July. During the month, 60 U.S.-flag lakers were in operation, an increase of six hulls compared to a year ago.
For the year, U.S.-flag carriage stands at 54.6 million net tons, an increase of 24.2 percent compared to the same point in 2003. On a 5-year basis, the U.S.-flag float is more than 8 percent ahead of the pace.
Published August 18, 2004.
