Traffic Even with 2006, but Stone and Salt are up

As of August 14, ship traffic through the port of Erie is even with this point last year, as 29 visits to the port have been logged thus far this season; this number is equal to the same point at last year, but up four visits from 2005. However, the overall numbers do not tell the entire story, as no sand cargoes have been shipped to Erie yet this season. Thus far, all 29 visitors to the port this year have delivered stone (27 loads) or salt (2 loads), as compared to 2006, when only 23 stone and 2 salt loads were delivered here, and 2005, when 19 loads of stone and 3 salt had been delivered to the port at this point in the season.

The other four loads in 2006 were comprised of 3 sand shipments, and one export cargo of GE locomotives. At this point in 2005, the port had received two sand loads and 1 load of slag.

Therefore, comparing only stone and salt, traffic through the port of Erie is up by four vessels when compared to this point in 2006, and seven vessels compared to 2005.

However, as Olgebay Norton does not release tonnage information, it is impossible to know if tonnage is up, although it likely is. However, low water levels may have necessitated the higher number of vessel visits this year; ships loading to shallower drafts carry less cargo that has to be shipped somehow.