April Great Lakes Limestone up 1 Million Tons

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes in April point to a continued rebound in economic activity in the nation’s industrial heartland. Shipments from U.S. and Canadian ports totaled 2.5 million net tons, an increase of 59%, or 911,795 tons, compared with a year ago.

Rising steel production accounts for some of the increase. It takes about 400 pounds of fluxstone to make a ton of steel in a blast furnace. There are also reports that demand for aggregate for road construction and repair projects is on the rise.

The trade’s recovery is not complete. April loadings were 19% below the month’s five-year average. The April totals basically reflect limestone’s year-to-date performance. Only one cargo--16,920 tons--was loaded in March.
 
The Kellys Island, Mich., port ceased shipping in fall 2009 and is not expected to resume operations. Likewise, Port Colborne in Canada ceased shipping by vessel in 2006.
 
Shipping data is complied by the Lake Carriers’ Association, which represents 18 American companies that operate 55 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.