Largest Decrease in Recent Memory
U.S.-Flag Lakes "Float " Falls 1.5 Million Tons in July

U.S.-Flag cargo movement on the Great Lakes in July fell by 1.5 million net tons compared to the same period last year, the largest monthly decrease in recent memory. The season-long string of monthly decreases now amounts to a 5-million ton shortfall compared to the same point in 1998.

 

Iron ore cargos loaded into U.S. bottoms in July totaled 5.9 million tons, a decrease of 18.2 percent. That decline is not entirely related to the unfairly-traded steel imports mentioned in previously monthly recaps. A major steelmaker began the changeover to a new pellet during July and this resulted in a temporary decrease in shipments. Additionally, two 1,000-foot-long vessels dedicated to the iron ore trade were dry-docked in July for repairs and inspections.

 

However, the season-to-date tally for iron ore is directly tied to the continued unfair trade in steel. Since the resumption of navigation in early March, U.S.-Flag ore cargos stand at 27,357,063 net tons, a decrease of 10.5 percent.

 

Despite record hot weather throughout much of the Great Lakes basin in July, coal shipments in U.S.-Flag lakers declined slightly from a year ago. For the season, U.S.-Flag coal loadings are down by 95,000 tons.

 

The U.S.-Flag stone trade almost pulled even with a year ago; the July fall-off is perhaps just 5 boatloads, but for the season, loadings in U.S. hulls are down by nearly 2 million tons.

 

July began with 60 of the 69 U.S.-Flag lakers in service, a decrease of 5 hulls compared to a year ago. August should see the reactivation of a straight-deck vessel engaged in the grain trade, but the ELTON HOYT 2ND, a self-unloader in the dry-bulk trades, has entered short-term lay-up and may be joined by other vessels as the month progresses.

 

 

U.S.-FLAG CARRIAGE
JULY AND SEASON-TO-DATE: 1999-1998
(net tons)

(a) Includes Lorain/Cleveland shuttle.

ggn@lcaships.com