U.S.-Flag Shipping on the Great Lakes Down in 2025
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 71.3 million tons of cargo in 2025, an 8.9 percent decrease from a year ago. 2025 cargo movement on the Great Lakes was 8.1 percent below the fleet’s 5-year average.Except for salt shipments, which increased by 4.1 percent, all commodity shipments decreased in 2025. Iron ore shipments were down 10.8 percent from 2024 to 39.1 million tons. Coal cargos declined to 6.5 million tons, a decrease of 12 percent. Limestone shipments of 20.1 million tons were below last year’s shipments by 4.7 percent.
MacGregor to Supply Cargo Equipment for Nine New RoPax Vessels
MacGregor has been selected to supply cargo access solutions for nine new RoPax vessels as part of the Grimaldi Group’s major fleet renewal plan.This significant order includes cargo access equipment for three vessels for Finnlines, four for Grimaldi Euromed, and two for Minoan Lines. The vessels will be built at China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard Co.The order covers two different vessel designs, including three ships for Finnlines, with a capacity of 5,400 lane meters and 1…
ABS Greenlights HD KSOE’s LNG and Ethane Cargo Handling Systems
ABS has granted two approvals in principle (AIP) for advanced cargo handling systems designed for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and ethane carriers, developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).The subcooling refrigeration system is a key advancement in cargo temperature management for LNG carriers.Unlike conventional systems that rely on a single gaseous refrigerant, the subcooling system utilizes a mixed refrigerant of both gas and liquid, which…
Port of Los Angeles Reports Busiest Month Ever
July was the busiest month on record in the 117-year history of the Port of Los Angeles. The Port handled 1,019,837 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), 8.5% more than last July. Retailers and manufacturers brought in goods at an elevated pace due to concerns of higher tariffs later this year.“Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America’s top port really tells that story,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka.
Creole King Christened in Port of Iberia
A landmark moment in Gulf Coast industry was celebrated today with the christening of Creole King, a state-of-the-art barge-mounted stevedoring crane, at the Port of Iberia.Operated by Cooper Consolidated and assembled by E-Crane’s Gulf Coast Service team, the Creole King represents a technological and environmental leap forward for midstream cargo operations. Standing 75 feet tall with a reach of 125 feet, the Creole King is powered by the largest E-Crane of its kind in North America—the EC30382 PD-E from the 4000C Series.
