For the first time this season, U.S.-Flag Great Lakes cargo carriage has topped 12 million net tons in one month. The major U.S.-Flag Lakes lines moved 12,125,274 net tons of dry-bulk cargo in August, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to the corresponding period last year. However, the season-to-date total, 56.3 million net tons, still lags behind last year by more than 6 percent.
Iron ore loadings in U.S. bottoms totaled 5.8 million net tons in August, an increase of 7.7 percent compared to a year ago. However, the increase, while welcome, must be taken in context. A year ago the ore float was waning in part because LTV Steel was in its death throes. Those facilities are now back in operation under the ISG banner, and increasing their production. The year-to-date iron ore total is perhaps a better barometer. The 26.4 million tons hauled through August represent a decrease of 9.1 percent. Again, a fair amount of the fall-off can be attributed to the closure of LTV Steel last December, as ISG did not resume steelmaking until May of this year.
Both the August coal and stone trades in U.S.-Flag hulls were essentially on track with a year ago. On a season-to-date basis, coal loadings in U.S.-Flag lakers stand at 11.9 million net tons, a decrease of 2.6 percent. Decreased demand for western coal accounts for the downturn. Sluggish demand from the construction industry is largely responsible for the 3 percent decrease in stone cargos through August.
August began with the major fleets operating 58 of their 66 vessels. That total remained unchanged for the month.
U.S.-FLAG CARRIAGE
AUGUST AND SEASON-TO-DATE: 2002 - 2001
(net tons)
Commodity | August 2002 | August 2001 | S-T-D 2002 | S-T-D 2001 |
| Iron Ore | ||||
| Direct Shipments | 5,491,827 | 4,995,745 | 25,609,095 | 26,644,014 |
| Transshipments | 286,760 | 371,415 | 839,665 | 2,445,107 |
Total - Iron Ore | 5,778,587 | 5,367,160 | 26,448,760 | 29,089,121 |
| Coal | ||||
| Lake Superior Ports | 1,541,511 | 1,557,040 | 7,402,066 | 8,100,028 |
| Lake Michigan Ports | 242,229 | 226,119 | 1,231,220 | 1,253,588 |
| Lake Erie Ports | 668,299 | 694,013 | 3,259,571 | 2,855,622 |
Total - Coal | 2,452,039 | 2,477,172 | 11,892,857 | 12,209,238 |
| Limestone | 3,347,825 | 3,436,879 | 15,201,420 | 15,673,508 |
| Cement | 462,946 | 519,992 | 2,214,612 | 2,466,491 |
| Salt | 44,718 | 69,517 | 306,780 | 418,934 |
| Sand | 7,295 | 72,165 | 104,289 | 317,573 |
| Grain | 31,864 | 15,953 | 165,559 | 146,449 |
| Totals | 12,125,274 | 11,958,838 | 56,334,277 | 60,321,314 |
In addition to the U.S.-Flag Lakes operators who comprise Lake Carriers' Association, this survey includes Andrie, Inc.
(cement only), Great Lakes Associates (grain), Hannah Marine Corp. (cement only), Pere Marquette Shipping Company and
Upper Lakes Towing Company, Inc. (both various dry-bulk cargos).
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DATE OF PUBLICATION: September 10, 2002
