Limestone shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million net tons in April, a decrease of 5.8 percent compared to a year ago. Demand for stone is generally sluggish. However, April shipments were also impacted by a wet spring, which further dampened demand from the construction industry. As a result, inventories at receiving docks are higher than normal as May begins.
April 2002 | April 2001 | Season-To-Date 2002 | Season-To-Date 2001 | |
| U.S. Ports | 2,568,720 | 2,561,419 | 2,753,165 | 2,638,286 |
| Canadian Ports | 549,520 | 749,638 | 613,155 | 824,914 |
Total | 3,118,240 | 3,311,057 | 3,366,320 | 3,463,200 |
Ports participating in this survey are as follows: In the U.S., Port Inland, Calcite, Cedarville, Presque Isle (Stoneport), Drummond Island and Marblehead. In Canada, Manitoulin, Smelter Bay, Bruce Mines and Port Colborne.
Note: 2001 totals, both monthly and season-to-date, have been restated to exclude gypsum from U.S. ports.