LCA: Lakes Limestone Trade Up 14 Percent in August

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.8 million net tons in August, an increase of 4 percent over July, and an increase of 14 percent compared to a year ago.  Shipments were also just about even with August’s 5-year average.

Shipments from U.S. quarries increased 22 percent compared to a year ago and slightly bettered the month’s 5-year average.  Loadings at Canadian quarries were off roughly 15 percent compared to both a year ago and August’s 5-year average. Through August the limestone trade stands at 16.1 million tons, a decrease of 5.2 percent compared to the same point in 2010, and a drop of 14.8 percent compared to the 5-year average for the January-August timeframe.

U.S. ports: Calcite, MI, Cedarville, MI, Drummond Island, MI, Kellys Island, OH, Marblehead, OH, Port Inland, MI and Presque Isle, MI.  Kellys Island ceased operations in the fall of 2009.  Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne, and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).  Port Colborne ceased shipping by vessel in 2006.

Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 55 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes and carry the raw materials that drive the nation’s economy: iron ore and fluxstone for the steel industry, limestone and cement for the construction industry, coal for power generation....  Collectively, these vessels can transport more than 115 million tons of cargo a year when high water offsets lack of adequate dredging.  More information is available at www.lcaships.com.