LCA reports limestone trade down in May 2020

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in May, a decrease of 18.1 percent compared to the same time period a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).

May’s loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 8.8 percent. Loadings from U.S. quarries, specifically, totaled 2.7 million tons, a decrease of 20.3 percent compared to 2019, according to LCA.

Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 802,468 tons, a decrease of 9.9 percent.

Year-to-date, Great Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 5.8 million tons, a decrease of 13.4 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

LCA reported loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 4.7 million tons, a decrease of 13.9 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total a little over 1 million tons, a decrease of 11.2 percent.

While shipping decreased this month, LCA reported an increase in April, with loadings up 22 percent, compared to the month’s five-year average.

LCA represents 13 American companies that operate 45 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes. These companies carry the raw materials, including iron ore, flux stone, aggregate, cement, coal, sand and grain.