Great lakes limestone shipments totaled just 1,254,226 net tons in April, a decrease of 23 percent compared to a year ago as the coldest April in more than two decades put a chill on the trade. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), loadings trailed the month’s five-year average by even more – 33.3 percent.
Loadings at U.S. ports totaled 1.1 million tons, a decrease of 19 percent, while shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 177,000 tons, a decrease of nearly 41 percent, LCA said.
LCA reports year-to-date the limestone trade stands at 1.5 million tons, a decrease of 12.8 percent.
Shipments from U.S. ports total 1.3 million tons, a decrease of 7 percent. The year-to-date total for U.S. ports includes 17,664 tons loaded in February and 218,452 tons shipped in March.
No limestone moved from Canadian quarries during the first quarter, so the April total is also the year-to-date total for Canadian ports.
Great Lakes Limestone Trade: April 2013-2018 and Long-term Average
(net tons)
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Average 2013-2017 | |
| U.S. Ports | 1,596,519 | 968,472 | 1,604,339 | 1,552,490 | 1,332,839 | 1,077,612 | 1,410,932 |
| Canadian Ports | 247,670 | 14,658 | 214,366 | 394,773 | 297,242 | 176,614 | 233,742 |
| Total | 1,844,189 | 983,130 | 1,818,705 | 1,947,263 | 1,630,081 | 1,254,226 | 1,878,416 |
Year-to-date 2013-2018 and Long-Term Average
(net tons)
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Average 2013-2017 | |
| U.S. Ports | 1,889,379 | 968,472 | 1,801,615 | 1,840,722 | 1,411,328 | 1,313,728 | 1,582,303 |
| Canadian Ports | 248,141 | 14,658 | 238,096 | 416,882 | 297,242 | 176,614 | 243,004 |
| Total | 2,137,520 | 983,130 | 2,039,711 | 2,257,604 | 1,708,570 | 1,490,342 | 2,068,311 |
U.S. ports: Calcite, Mich.; Cedarville, Mich.:, Drummond Island, Mich.;, Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Mich.; and Presque Isle, Mich.
Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).