According to the Lake Carriers’ Association, shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.6 million tons in May, a 6.8% decrease compared to one year ago. May’s loadings were above the month’s 5-year average by 1.1%.

Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 6.9% compared to 2024 to 2.9 million tons. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 688,697 tons, a decrease of 6.2%.

Year-to-date, limestone trade on the Great Lakes stands at 5.6 million tons, down 13.2% from one year ago.

Shipments of iron ore from U.S. Great Lakes ports were also down in May. The Lakes Carriers’ Association reported that iron ore shipments from U.S. Great Lakes ports totaled 5 million tons in May, a decrease of 7.7% compared to 2024. Shipments were 3.1% below the month’s 5-year average.

Year-to-date, shipments of iron ore stand at 11.7 million tons, down 18.6% compared to one year ago.