July 2014: US-flag lakers cement and limestone cargo figures

According to figures released by the Lake Carriers’ Association, US-flag Great Lakes freighters transported more than 11.36 million t of cargo in July 2014. This is 10.2% higher than in July 2013 and 8.6% more than in June 2014.

Shipments of limestone carried by US-flag lakers increased by 10% y/y to reach approximately 3.4 million t. Cement shipments came in at 396 350 t, which compares to 346 113 t in the corresponding period last year.

Coal cargo grew from just under 2.05 million t in July 2013 to more than 2.13 million t in July of this year. Within this, loadings from Lake Erie ports improved by 65%, stayed in line with last year on Lake Superior, and dropped by 50% from Lake Michigan. Meanwhile, iron ore shipments totalled around 5.29 million t, up from 4.62 million t in July 2013.

In January – July of this year, cargo movement was down 10.8% y/y as a result of the impact of heavy ice formations in March and April 2014, which caused lost hours and damage to ships. During the January – July period, limestone loadings fell by 8.7% y/y, iron ore cargo by 14% y/y and coal by 5.8% y/y.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/26082014/us-flag-great-lakes-freighters-cargo-figures-for-july-2014-354/