Lakes Limestone

Great Lakes Limestone & Coal Trade Up

Lakes Limestone Trade up 16% in September Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3,461,606 net tons in September, an increase of 3.6 percent compared to August, and 16 percent better than a year ago.  However, the trade was down 10.7% compared to the month’s 5-year average. Loadings at U.S. ports were up 342,000 tons compared to a year ago.  Shipments from Canadian docks increase by 135,000 tons. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 20.5 million net tons, an increase of 25.2% compared to a year ago, but a decrease of 15% compared to the five-year average for the first three quarters.  Loadings at U.S. ports are up 28 percent compared to a year ago.  Shipments from Canadian docks are 15.4% ahead of last year’s pace. Great Lakes Coal Trade Up 32.5 Percent in September Coal shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3,648,453 net tons in September, a decrease of 6.8% compared to August, but an increase of 32.5% compared to a year ago.  Compared to the month’s five-year average, loadings were down 7.4%. Shipments from Lake Superior rose noticeably from a year ago – 35% – and were on par with the month’s five-year average.  Loadings in Chicago increased by 145% compared to a year ago and all but equaled the month’s five-year average.  The coal trade out of Lake Erie increased 13.6% compared to a year ago, but was nearly 20% off September’s five-year average.

Lakes Limestone Trade Up 27% in July

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3,682,308 net tons in July, a decrease of 4.7 percent compared to June, but an increase of 27 percent compared to a year ago.  The trade was down 11.5 percent when compared to the month’s 5-year average. Loadings at U.S. ports were up nearly 850,000 tons compared to a year ago, but shipments from Canadian docks slipped by 65,000 tons. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 13,669,350 net tons, an increase of 32

Lakes November Limestone Down 11.4 PCT

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 2.9 million tons in November, a decrease of 1.7 percent compared to October, and 11.4 percent below the level of a year ago.    The November stone float was also 12 percent off the month’s 5-year average.   Shipments from U.S. ports fell 12.3 percent in November.  Loadings at Canadian quarries slipped by 7 percent.  Shipments were impacted in the first days of the month by some delays related to Hurricane

U.S. Flag Great Lakes Cargo Down in 2012

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 89.5 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in 2012, a decrease of 4.6 percent compared to 2011. The 2012 float was 1.5 percent off the five-year average for U.S.-flag lakers.   U.S.-flag lakers carried 45.2 million tons of iron ore in 2012, or 73.3 percent of the total volume of iron ore moved on the Great Lakes last year. The 45.2 million tons of iron ore carried by U.S.-flag lakers represented a decrease of 4.3 percent from 2011.  

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

The Fourth U.S. Coast

In 1970, the U.S. Congress designated the Great Lakes region as the U.S.' fourth seacoast; which, while geographically inaccurate, is completely on target in terms of the importance of trade within that area. One of the most important waterways, the region is home to the U.S.-Flag Lakes fleet, perhaps the most vibrant segment of the U.S. Merchant Marine. In terms of sheer numbers, the fleet is not large; with only approximately 70 large self-propelled vessels and tug/barge units in the dry-

U.S.-Flag Lakers' October Cargo Up 3 PCT

U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 9.8 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in October, a weather-driven decrease of 3 percent compared to September, but an increase of 3.2 percent compared to a year ago.   The October float was 5 percent below the month’s 5-year average, but the decrease partially reflects the significant weather-related delays the fleet experienced. Iron ore cargos for the steel industry increased 12.8 percent compared to a year ago

Great Lakes - Stone Slump and Dredging Woes

Although rising water levels partially offset the chronic lack of dredging in the spring and summer, the Lakes begin their seasonal decline in September, and as a result, lightloading increased. The largest iron ore cargo was only 66,761 net tons. The largest coal cargo was 67,444 net tons. Had these vessels been able to carry full loads, they would have delivered more than 70,000 net tons. For the year, U.S.-Flag carriage stands at 74

Great Lakes Shipping Shows Signs of Recovery

Overall U.S. maritime cargo volumes in the Great Lakes region are recovering from extreme lows experienced in 2009 finds a MARAD study. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) report 'Status of the U.S.-Flag Great Lakes Water Transportation Industry', finds that the U.S. Great Lakes maritime industry is generally healthy, providing efficient, safe and environmentally friendly transportation services

Great Lakes Shipyards Eying Busy Winter

Investment Averages $1.4 Million Per Vessel Maintaining and Modernizing U.S.-Flag Lakers Will Keep Great Lakes Shipyards Busy This Winter.   More than 1,200 boilermakers, welders, electricians and other skilled craftsmen will be hard at work this winter maintaining and modernizing U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters when they lay up between late December and mid-January.  The major U.S.-flag operators will invest more than $75 million in their 56 vessels so the fleet will be ready to