Great Lakes limestone trade jumps 8 percent in November 2019

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes increased 8 percent in November, totaling 3 million tons.

The figure is courtesy of the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), whose 8 percent increase is in comparison to November 2018.

Limestone cargos also improved 8 percent from November’s five-year average, LCA reports.

Loadings from U.S. quarries increased 12.2 percent from the same period last year to 2.6 million tons. In contrast, shipments from Canadian quarries decreased 12.2 percent to a total of 429,649 tons.

According to LCA, the year-to-date limestone trade has improved 11.2 percent compared to 2018. It totals 30.2 million tons. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries, specifically, totaled 24.8 million tons. That’s a 12.2 percent improvement.

Ontario quarries also saw an uptick, totaling 5.4 million tons. That’s an increase of nearly 330,000 tons.

Since 1880, LCA has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually.