Limestone trade trends downward in July 2020

According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.4 million tons in July, a 20.4 percent decrease compared to a year ago.

July’s trade was below the month’s 5-year average by 12.6 percent. Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, a decrease of 25 percent compared to 2019.

Shipments from Canadian quarries, specifically, totaled 807,203 tons, decreasing by less than 1 percent. Year-to-date, Great Lakes limestone trade stands at 12.4 million tons, a decrease of 17.5 percent compared to a year ago.

LCA reported loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 9.8 million tons, a decrease of 20.7 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 2.6 million tons, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to 2019.

LCA also reported a decrease in June, with loadings totaling 3.2 million tons in June, a decrease of 21.2 percent from a year ago.

Charts: Lake Carriers’ Association. Click to enlarge.

U.S. ports involved in the Great Lakes limestone trade are located in Calcite, Michigan; Cedarville, Michigan; Drummond Island, Michigan; Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Michigan; and Presque Isle, Michigan.

Canadian ports include Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne and Smelter Bay – all located in Ontario.

Since 1880, LCA has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually. Materials moved include iron ore, stone, coal, cement and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt and sand.