Great Lakes limestone sinks in November

Shipments of limestone on U.S.-flag vessels plying the Great Lakes reached 2.7 million tons in November, a decrease of 4.4%, year-over-year.    Shipments of limestone on U.S.-flag vessels plying the Great Lakes reached 2.7 million tons in November, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to a year ago, according to the Lake Carriers’ Association.  
   Limestone cargoes also fell behind the month’s long-term average by 9.2 percent. The LCA said the trade was hindered by weather in November, “with many vessels anchoring or taking longer routes to avoid heavy weather.”
   Year-to-date, the limestone trade stands at 25.7 million tons, a decrease of 2.4 percent compared to the same point in 2013.  
   “The gap has narrowed considerably since the spring, when heavy ice delayed full-scale resumption of limestone loadings. At the end of April, shipments were down 54 percent. Even come the end of July, the trade was 6 percent off last year’s pace,” the association said.
   The Cleveland-based Lake Carriers’ Association represents 17 American companies that operate 56 U.S.-flag vessels on the Great Lakes.