U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) moved 76.4 million tons of cargo in 2022, a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to 2021, the Cleveland-based Lakes Carriers Association reported. The 2022 float was 7.1 percent below the fleet’s 5-year average.
Iron ore cargos totaled 37.4 million tons, a decrease of 10.2 percent compared to ayear earlier.
Coal cargos were also down 10.2 percent to 9.3 million tons.
Limestone shipments decreased by 1.8 percent, while cement shipments increased by 3.8 percent.
Salt and sand cargos were up by 5.9 percent and 30.7 percent, respectively. Grain shipments decreased by 2.6 percent.
(Photo by David Schauer)