Marine Link
Thursday, March 28, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Manitoulin Island News

09 May 2018

Great Lakes Limestone Trade Lags

© Daniel / Adobe Stock

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…

06 Jan 2015

Lakes Limestone 2014 Tonnage Dips

A typical Great Lakes stone carrier (source: Lake Carriers Association)

Shipments from U.S. ports dipped 4 percent, but loadings out of Canadian quarries rose 12.5 percent. Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 27.1 million tons in 2014, a decrease of 1.8 percent from 2013 and a drop of 2.1 percent compared to the trade’s long-term average. The decline Lakeswide largely reflects the significant delays in resuming shipments in the spring. Heavy ice formations covered the Lakes and loadings in April were down nearly 50 percent. Even in May shipments lagged the previous year by 8 percent. U.S.

22 Oct 2013

Lakes Limestone Trade Up More Than 6% in September

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in September, an increase of 6.2% compared to a year ago. The September total was, however, 4.9% below August’s tally. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 3 million tons, an increase of 8.1% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries – 467,000 tons – dipped by the equivalent of one cargo in a 767-foot-long laker. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 19.9 million tons, a decrease of 2.9% compared to a year ago, and 6% below the long-term average for the first three quarters. U.S.

11 Sep 2013

Lakes Limestone Trade Up Nearly 13% in August

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.6 million tons in August, an increase of 3.7% compared to July, and 12.8% better than a year ago. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 3.15 million tons, an increase of 18.1% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries slipped by nearly 13%, falling to 485,000 tons. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 16.5 million tons, a decrease of 4.6% compared to a year ago, and 7% below the long-term average for the January-August timeframe. U.S. ports: Calcite, Mich.; Cedarville, Mich.; Drummond Island, Mich.; Kellys Island, Ohio; Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Mich. and Presque Isle, Mich. Kellys Island ceased shipping in fall 2009. Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).

15 May 2013

Ice Slows Resumption of Great Lakes Stone Trade

Heavy ice cover on the lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the limestone trade. Shipments totaled only 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 28% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 21% off the month’s five-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 24% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries totaled 247,670 tons, a decrease of nearly 50% from last year. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 2.1 million tons, a decrease of 22% compared to a year ago, and 12% below the five-year average for the January-April timeframe. U.S. ports: Calcite, Mich.; Cedarville, Mich.; Drummond Island, Mich.; Kellys Island, Ohio; Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Mich.and Presque Isle, Mich. Kellys Island ceased shipping in fall 2009.

15 Jan 2013

Lakes Limestone Trade Down 3.6 Percent in 2012

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 27,145,219 tons in 2012, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to 2011. The trade was 7 percent below its 5-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports fell 2.4 percent when compared to 2011, and slightly more – 4.1 percent – when compared to their 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian quarries decreased 9 percent compared to 2011, and slipped almost 19 percent compared to their 5-year average. Falling water levels and the dredging crisis took a toll in 2012. By year’s end, a vessel that has carried as much as 35,457 tons in a single trip averaged only 29,796 tons on the three stone loads it moved in December. The cargos were loaded at a quarry on Lake Huron and that body of water has fallen to a new record low. U.S.

11 Jun 2012

Great Lakes Limestone Moving More Briskly

Another Good Month for Lakes Limestone; Up 16 Percent in May. Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3,355,389 net tons in May, an increase of 30 percent compared to April and 15.6 percent better than a year ago. However, shipments were down 9.3 percent compared to the month’s 5-year average. The strongest gains came at U.S. ports. Loadings rose by 380,000 tons, or 16.2 percent. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased by 73,000 tons, or 13.2 percent. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 6.1 million net tons…

13 Sep 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 average. Through August the limestone trade stands at 16.1 million tons…