Ice Slowed Resumption of Lakes Stone Trade
CLEVELAND—Heavy ice cover on the Lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the limestone trade. 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.
Loadings at Canadian quarries totaled 247,670 tons, a decrease of nearly 50 percent from last year.
Year-to-date the 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.