Great Lakes limestone trade soars in 2019

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes increased 9 percent in 2019, compared to 2018, to a total of 31.2 million tons, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).

2019’s loadings were also 12.1 percent higher than the trade’s five-year average.

Loadings from U.S. quarries, specifically, totaled 25.7 million tons, which is 9.4 percent above the previous year’s loadings and 11.2 percent higher than the five-year average.

Canadian quarries shipped 5.5 million tons in 2019, an increase of 7.2 percent compared to the prior year and 16.4 percent higher than the five-year average.

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