Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes, destined for steel mills and other end users, totaled 3.6 million tons in May, a decrease of 5.4 percent compared to a year ago, according to a report from the Lake Carriers' Association this week. May’s loadings were, however, slightly above the month’s 5-year average.
Loadings from US quarries totaled 2.9 million tons, a decrease of 4.2 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 683,000 tons, a decrease of 9.3 percent.
Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 5.3 million tons, a decrease of 12.3 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 4.3 million tons, a decrease of 11.4 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 980,000 tons, a decrease of 16.3 percent.