Shipping Rises on the Great Lakes

March 10, 2022  – What happens on the Great Lakes is usually a good indication that the same is happening elsewhere. U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters moved 81.8 million tons of cargo in 2021, an increase of 16.8% compared to 2020, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association. The 2021 float was less than 1% below the fleet’s five-year average. Limestone and cement shipments increased by 16.7% and nearly 5%, respectively. Shipments of sand were up by 21.6%. Salt cargos were up by 34.2%, while grain cargos increased by 16.3%. Iron ore cargos totaled 41.7 million tons, an increase of 12.4% compared to a year earlier. Coal cargos were up 42.7% to 10.4 million tons.