Great Lakes limestone trade down in May

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes in May were down 25.5 percent compared to a year earlier. Photo: LCA

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 2.9 million tons in May, a 25.5 percent decrease compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).

May’s loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 24.5 percent, the association adds.

Loadings from U.S. quarries in May totaled 2.2 million tons, a decrease of 27.1 percent compared to last year. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 685,331 tons, a 19.9 percent decrease.

Year-to-date, Great Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 4.9 million tons, a decrease of 16.5 percent compared to a year ago, according to LCA.

Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 3.9 million tons, a 16.2 decrease, while shipments from Ontario quarries total 1 million tons, down 17.7 percent.