The 1998 shipping season came to an end at approximately 0420 on January 30, 1999 when the cement carrier PAUL H. TOWNSEND (Inland Lakes Mgt.) arrived her winter lay-up berth in Milwaukee. The 1998 season began on February 20 when the self-unloader EARL W. OGLEBAY (Oglebay Norton Company) began moving iron ore within Cleveland Harbor.
Estimated totals indicate that U.S.-Flag carriage increased slightly on the Great Lakes during the 1998 season, but it must be stressed that the cement and liquid bulk totals below are estimates and all other commodities are subject to final verification. What is for certain is that dumped steel significantly impacted the Lakes Jones Act fleet. The initial tally for iron ore shows a decrease of 580,000 tons, yet at one point in the season, U.S.-Flag ore cargos were 2.3 million tons ahead of 1997's pace.
|
Commodity |
1998 |
1997 |
|
Iron Ore (a) |
62,800,734 |
63,382,685 |
|
Coal -- Western |
13,515,846 |
13,895,709 |
|
Coal -- Eastern |
8,421,201 |
9,494,464 |
|
Limestone, Gypsum |
31,618,104 |
29,820,120 |
|
Cement(b) |
4,260,000 |
4,204,028 |
|
Salt |
1,312,157 |
1,002,934 |
|
Sand |
234,300 |
272,218 |
|
Grain |
352,083 |
669,741 |
|
Liquid Bulk(b) |
2,800,000 |
2,490,139 |
|
Totals |
125,314,425 |
125,232,038 |
(a) Includes transshipments
(b) Although all totals are subject to final verification, the cement and tanker tallies are estimates.