Great Lakes limestone trade up in May

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.9 million tons in May, an increase of 5.5 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA).

May’s loadings were above the month’s five-year average by 3 percent.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3 million tons, an increase of 5.2 percent compared to 2021. Meanwhile, shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 855,108 tons, an increase of 6.7 percent, LCA says.

Year-to-date limestone trade stands at nearly 5.9 million tons, down 4.4 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries are at 4.7 million tons, a 3.6 percent decrease from a year earlier, while shipments from Ontario quarries are at 1.2 million tons, down 7.3 percent over the last 12 months.