Great Lakes limestone trade trends upward in September 2019

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled about 4.1 million tons in September, a 12.4 percent increase compared to one year ago.

Limestone cargos also bettered the month’s five-year average by 20.3 percent, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.3 million tons, an increase of almost 12 percent from 2018. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 785,000 tons, a 14.5 percent increase.

Year-to-date, the Great Lakes limestone trade stands at 23.4 million tons, a 12.4 percent increase compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 19.1 million tons, a 12.5 percent increase. Shipments from Ontario, Canada, quarries total 4.3 million tons, a 12.1 percent increase.

LCA represents 13 U.S. companies that operate 46 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry raw materials such as aggregate. Collectively, LCA’s members can transport more than 90 million tons of dry-bulk cargo per year and employ more than 1,600 men and women.