Great Lakes Limestone and Iron Ore Trade Down in September
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in September, a decrease of 11.5% compared to 2024, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association. Limestone cargos were also below the month’s 5-year average by 6%.
Loadings from U.S. quarries decreased 13.5% from last year to 2.7 million tons. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 663,144 tons, a decrease of 2.3%.
Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 19.6 million tons, a decrease of 5.8% compared to 2024. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries decreased 4.2% to 16 million tons; while shipments from Ontario quarries decreased by 12.3% to 3.6 million tons.
Shipments of iron ore from U.S. ports on the Great Lakes also decreased in September. The Lake Carriers’ Association reports iron ore trade was down 14.2% from 2024 to 4.7 million tons in September. Shipments were below the month’s 5-year average by 7.4%.
Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 31.4 million tons, a 14% decrease compared to last year.
Through September, iron ore loadings are 6.6% below their 5-year average for the first three quarters of the year.
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