April ice slowed limestone trade

   Heavy ice cover on the Great Lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the region’s limestone trade, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.
   Shipments totaled only 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 28 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings are 21 percent off the month’s 5-year average.
   Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 24 percent compared to a year ago, while loadings at Canadian quarries totaled 247,670 tons, a decrease of nearly 50 percent from last year.
   Year-to-date the Great Lakes limestone trade stands at 2.1 million tons, a decrease of 22 percent compared to a year ago, and 12 percent below the 5-year average for the January-April timeframe.
   The Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 57 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes. The carriers transport a number of bulk raw materials in the region, including limestone, coal, iron ore, fluxstone, grain and salt.