Great Lakes limestone cargoes’ slow start in April

Limestone cargoes on the Great Lakes reached 1.8 million tons in April, a decrease of 9 percent compared to the month’s 5-year average.    Limestone cargoes on the Great Lakes reached 1.8 million tons in April, “a decrease of 9 percent compared to the month’s 5-year average, and a drop of 30 percent compared to 2012, the last April in which ice conditions were not near arctic,” the Lake Carriers’ Association said.
   The association represents 16 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.
   Ice was a significant factor behind the decrease in limestone shipments. The association noted the ice was so thick that the vessels used to transport limestone delayed sailing up to 60 days compared to 2014. 
   “Cold temperatures also slowed the resumption of mining at several quarries. Only 510,000 tons of aggregate and fluxstone had moved by mid-month,” LCA said.
   The association is hopeful that Congress will authorize the construction of a second large Coast Guard icebreaker for the Great Lakes. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., included a provision in the Coast Guard Authorization Bill approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that directs the Coast Guard to design and build a new, “multi-mission” icebreaker for the Great Lakes.