Limestone trade on the Great Lakes up sharply

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 4.3 million tons in May, an increase of 13.6 percent compared to a year ago.

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), May’s loadings also bettered the month’s five-year average by 17.8 percent.

Loadings from U.S. quarries in May totaled 3.4 million tons, an increase of 8.2 percent compared to a year ago, while shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 890,000 tons, an increase of more than 40 percent.

According to LCA, the Great Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 6.7 million tons on the year, representing an increase of 26.7 percent compared to a year ago.

Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries are at 5.5 million tons, an increase of 23.2 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 1.18 million tons, an increase of 45.9 percent.

May’s positive performance follows a healthy showing for the Great Lakes limestone trade in April, when shipments of limestone totaled 2.1 million net tons.

The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 13 American companies that operate 46 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry raw materials such as aggregate.