Great Lakes limestone trade up in May 2018

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.75 million tons in May, an increase of 3.9 percent compared to a year ago.

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, May’s loadings also bettered the month’s five-year average by the same percent.

Loadings specifically from U.S. quarries totaled 3.16 million tons, an increase of 7.9 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 590,000 tons, a decrease of 13.5 percent.

Year to date, the Great Lakes limestone trade stands at 5.2 million tons, a decrease of 1.5 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 4.47 million tons, an increase of 3.1 percent. Shipments from quarries in Ontario, Canada, total 767,000 tons, a decrease of 21.7 percent.

The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 13 American companies that operate 45 vessels on the Great Lakes and carry aggregate and other materials.