Lakes limestone trade up 18.8 percent in November

The following is the text of a news release from the Lake Carriers' Association:

(CLEVELAND) — Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 2.95 million tons in November, an increase of 18.8 percent compared to a year ago. November’s loadings were also 6.4 percent ahead of the month’s five-year average.

Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 2.5 million tons, an increase of 21.2 percent compared to a year ago. It should be noted, however, that shipments from U.S. quarries in November 2016 were at their lowest level in more than a decade.

Shipments from Canadian quarries this November totaled 430,000 tons, an increase of one cargo in a mid-sized Great Lakes freighter.

Year to date, the limestone trade stands at 26.7 million tons, an increase of 5.8 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 22 million tons, an increase of 7.6 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 4.7 million tons, a decrease of 2.2 percent.

By Professional Mariner Staff