Great Lakes Limestone and Iron Ore Trade Up in August
The Lake Carriers’ Association reports that Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes in August increased by 8.6 percent compared to 2022 to a total of 5.5 million tons. Shipments were also above the month’s five-year average by 3.5 percent.
Year-to-date, the iron ore trade totals 31.2 million tons, an increase of 28.9 percent compared to the same point last year. Through August iron shipments are 6.5 percent above their five-year average for eight months of the year.
Limestone Shipments
Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 4 million tons in August, an increase of 4.4 percent from a year ago. Limestone cargos were above the month’s five-year average by 3.7 percent. Loadings from U.S. quarries totaled 3.3 million tons, an increase of 5 percent compared to 2022. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 754,178 tons, an increase of 1.9 percent.
Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 16.2 million tons, a decrease of 7.4 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries total 13.1 million tons, a decrease of 5.1 percent. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 3.1 million tons, a decrease of 15.6 percent.
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