Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.6 million tons in June, an increase of 23 percent over May, but a decrease of 7 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers Association. Shipments trailed the month’s five-year average by 10.6 percent.

Shipments from U.S. quarries fell 4.6 percent compared to a year ago and are 7.3 percent off June’s five-year average. Loadings at Canadian quarries slipped by more than 16 percent compared to a year ago and more — 22.4 percent — when compared to the month’s five-year average.

Through June, the limestone trade stands at 8.7 million tons, a decrease of 13.1 percent compared to the same point in 2010, and a drop of 21.2 percent compared to the five-year average for the first half of the year.

Great Lakes Limestone Trade: June 2006-2011 and Five-Year Average
(net tons)

Great Lakes Limestone Trade: Year-To-Date 2006-2011 and Five-Year Average
(net tons)

U.S. ports: Calcite, MI, Cedarville, MI, Drummond Island, MI, Kellys Island, OH, Marblehead, OH, Port Inland, MI and Presque Isle, MI.  Kellys Island ceased operations in fall 2009.  Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne, and Smelter Bay (all Ontario). Port Colborne ceased shipping by vessel in 2006.