Great Lakes Coal Trade Up 27 Percent in March

Coal shipments on the in March totaled 1.6 million net tons, an increase of 27 percent compared to a year ago. The trade outperformed its 5-year average for
March by 34 percent. Strong demand for coal loaded at ports destined for Canadian customers spurred the surge.

Despite the increase, lightloading was rampant again. The largest coal cargo loaded in March totaled only 58,944 net tons. The cargo was carried by a 1,000-foot-long ship and vessels this size have carried nearly 71,000 tons in a single trip when high water levels offset lack of adequate dredging. With the dredging crisis still gripping Great Lakes shipping, it is all the more important that Congress reject the Administration’s proposed $49 million cut in dredging funds in FY09.

’ Association represents 16 American corporations that operate 63 U.S.-Flag vessels on the . These vessels carry the raw materials that drive the nation’s economy: Iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, limestone, and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation.... Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo a year when high water levels offset the lack of adequate dredging of ports and waterways. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

Source: ’ Association