Limestone shipments down on Great Lakes

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 2.5 million tons in November, a decrease of 16.8 percent compared to a year ago.

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents 14 U.S. companies operating 56 vessels on the Great Lakes, November’s loadings were 15.1 percent below the month’s five-year average.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.1 million tons, a decrease of 16.2 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries were up 19.3 percent at 406,000 tons.

Year to date, the Great Lakes’ limestone trade stands at 25.3 million tons, a decrease of 8.3 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries are down 12.1 percent to 20.5 million tons. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 4.8 million tons, an increase of 12.9 percent.