U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighters moved 10.8 million tons of cargo in August, a 7.8 percent increase compared with August of the previous year. The August float was also 7 percent above the month's five-year average mark, the Lake Carriers' Association reported.

Iron ore cargoes for steel production totaled 5.3 million tons, an increase of 5.97 percent compared with a year ago, and August was the fourth consecutive month in which ore shipments topped five million tons.

Coal loads totaled 1.4 million tons, a 10.1 percent decrease from 2018 and a 14.6 percent decrease from the month's five-year average.

Year-to-date at the end of August, U.S.-flag cargo movement stood at 54.5 million tons, an increase of 12.6 percent compared with the same point in 2018. Iron ore cargoes totaled 29.9 million tons, an increase of 12.5 percent. Coal loadings totaled 6.9 million tons, an increase of 6.5 percent. Limestone topped 14.6 million tons, an increase of 13.4 percent.