August coal total comes up short by 8 percent
September 26, 07 by TheFleetIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Source: Lake Carriers Association
CLEVELAND—With the largest U.S.-Flag Lakers losing more than 6,000 tons of coal each trip because of lack of adequate dredging and falling water levels, shipments on the Great Lakes only totaled 4.4 million net tons in August, a decrease of 8 percent compared to both a year ago and the month’s 5-year average.
August is usually one of the strongest months for the coal trade. The peak summer heat increases demand for electricity to cool homes and businesses, yet this August’s total is the lowest this decade. While demand for coal from Lake Erie ports was down in August, the dredging crisis played a major role in the weak Lakeswide total. The largest coal cargo carried during the month totaled 64,504 tons. Turn the calendar back to 1997, a period of high water levels, and the top coal cargo was approaching 71,000 tons.
For the year, the Lakes coal trade stands at 23.6 million tons, a decrease of 6.6 percent compared to the same point in 2006. Compared to the 5-year average, shipments are nearly 5 percent off the pace.
Lake Carriers’ Association represents 18 American corporations that operate 63 U.S.-Flag vessels on the Great Lakes. 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 as much as 125 million tons of cargo a year when high water levels offset the lack of adequate dredging of Great Lakes ports and waterways. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
