Limestone and Iron Ore Trade Down on the Great Lakes in November
The Lake Carriers’ Association reports that shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 2.4 million tons in November, a decrease of 18.1% compared to 2024. Limestone cargos were also 18.1% below the month’s 5-year average.
Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 20.3$ from 2024 to 2 million tons. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 462,213 tons, a decrease of 7.3%.
Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 25.2 million tons, a 6.9% decrease compared to the same period last year. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 6.3% from 2024 to 20.6 million tons, while shipments from Ontario quarries total 4.7 million tons, a decrease of 9.7% from last year.
Meanwhile, shipments of iron ore were also down on the Great Lakes in November. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes decreased 19.1% from 2024 to 3.4 million tons in November. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 20.3%.
Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 39.2 million tons, a decrease of 13.2% compared to the same point in 2024.
Through November, iron ore loadings are 8.1% below their 5-year average.
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