Middle River Marine LLC. Acquires Kindra Lake Towing

MOKENA, IL – Middle River Marine LLC has acquired the assets of Kindra Lake Towing LP, of Chicago. The agreement will expand MRM’s bulk material logistic operations with the addition of five vessels, marine equipment, and a harbor slip in South Chicago. This agreement creates an organization better able to serve customers and grow in the marketplace.

Kindra’s fleet includes the tugs Buckley, Ellie, Koolkat, Morgan and Tanner.

Middle River will expand its affreightment, towing, fleeting and terminal services to customers on the Illinois Waterways, including Lake Michigan. Additionally, Middle River is excited to increase its workforce and add more experience to our team. This marks another step forward in MRM’s ability to serve the construction materials, agricultural products, and industrial commodities in Illinois, Northwest Indiana, and the Great Lakes.

“Our people make the difference and we’re happy to welcome new coworkers to expand the MRM team,” said Aaron Halcomb, President of Middle River Marine. “For our customers, this further extends our ability to economically, efficiently, and sustainably meet their logistics needs.”

Kindra, through its 2 companies, began in South Chicago in 1983 cleaning and repairing barges. Beginning in 1992, Kindra began moving barges between South Chicago and Burns Harbor, Gary, Buffington, and Indiana Harbor in Northwest Indiana as well as Lemont, Illinois. They have provided Coast Guard approved fleeting areas for tank barges as well as marine equipment and services for special projects.

John Kindra, President of Kindra Lake Towing said, “Since starting Kindra Lake Towing in 1992 with three tugboats, it has been fun, challenging, rewarding and a pleasure growing our companies. We have grown internally through the development and promotion of our employees. Our continued success has been due to the loyalty of our customers.”

Middle River Marine began river and rail terminal operations on the Great Lakes and the Illinois river system in 1998. Terminal operations now include South Chicago, Calumet Park, Lemont, Joliet, Rock Creek, and Henry. MRM’s marine operations now include eleven vessels, and 88 barge fleet with over 120 total coworkers.

Middle River Marine Press Release

Merry Christmas!

Duluth a parking lot for freighters; no vessels moving on Lake Superior

DULUTH, MN – Anchored off Duluth are Edgar B. Speer, Great Republic, John G, Munson, Michipicoten, Clyde S. VanEnkevort, CSL Laurentian, American Spirit and Stewart J. Cort, which finished loading pellets at Superior and moved offshore so American Integrity could take her place at the shiploader.

Besides American Integrity, docked vessels are Alpena, H. Lee White, American Century, John J. Boland, Joseph L. Block and Arthur M. Anderson. To the east, Edwin H. Gott is on the hook at Two Harbors, which Mesabi Miner and James R. Barker are tucked in at the lower end of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Algoma Equinox and Federal Kushiro were anchored in the lee of Whitefish Bay, with Kaye E. Barker and Presque Isle anchored in Goulais Bay on the Canadian side. Maumee/Victory and Manitoulin remain docked at Algoma Steel until the storm clears.

Further afield, the Interlake vessels Hertbert C. Jackson, Hon James L. Oberstar and Paul R. Tregurtha were anchored above DeTour on the St. Marys River, along with John D. Leitch and Philip R. Clarke. American Mariner and Ashtabula/Defiance sought shelter north of St. Ignace. Burns Harbor remained stopped of Port Inland in the lee of Seul Choix Point.

Walter J. McCarthy Jr. hove-to off Milwaukee Friday night but was underway northbound Saturday morning. Manitowoc, anchored off Alpena, will resume her trip to Manistee when the weather clears.

Lee A. Tregurtha tied up at Nicholson’s Dock in Detroit to wait out the weather.

Massive 20-foot storm seiche rolls across Lake Erie

DETROIT, MI – We’re used to big storms over the Great Lakes producing some big waves, but a phenomenon is forecast to happen in Lake Erie during this current storm that is going to look like a huge, rolling section of water. It’s called a seiche (pronounced say-sh) and it’s kind of like if you tipped a nearly-full bathtub of water and sent ripples rolling from one end to the other.

From the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL): “The upcoming winter storm is predicted to cause a massive seiche in Lake Erie, with a water level difference of nearly 20 ft (6 m) between Toledo & Buffalo!“ They describe a seiche is a large, standing wave that oscillates in a body of water.

The GLERL researchers say Lake Erie is known for having seiches when strong winds blow. “However, the seiche this Fri-Sat is predicted to be off the charts – literally! GLERL scientists had to extend the range of our color scales & graphs to account for it.”

Waves on the Great Lakes are expected to reach more than 30 feet high in isolated areas, while sustained winds could push enough water east to cause flooding that could reach record levels in Buffalo, N.Y.

In eastern Lake Erie, winds in the mid-60 mile-an-hour range were forecast to create waves up to 32 feet high in open water about five miles north of Conneaut, Ohio, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Images on Facebook show Lake Erie islands ferries sitting on the bottom at docks in Sandusky, Ohio, as the water level dropped to -42 inches below datum.

Due to wind and water levels, AIS showed no vessels moving on the lake Saturday morning. Vessels anchored to the east of Sandusky include Evans Spirit, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Florence Spirit, CSL Niagara, CSL Tadoussac and Algoma Intrepid. On the Canadian side, Algoma Sault, Frontenac, Algocanada and Algonova were anchored off Turkey Point.

No vessels were moving in the Welland Canal Saturday morning.

View charts at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/12/massive-20-foot-storm-seiche-forecast-to-roll-across-lake-erie.html

Storm to bring 20-foot waves to four of five Great Lakes; freighters batten down

DETROIT, MI – Twenty-foot waves on the Great Lakes as fall turns to winter are not uncommon. But 20-foot waves on every Great Lake are.

But that could be in the cards this weekend as a “once in a generation” Arctic storm moving through North America unleashes its wrath over the Great Lakes region. And with large freighters still shipping on the Great Lakes, ship captains and crews are doing what they can to get ready. Around the Great Lakes, freighters have gone to anchor in sheltered areas or have stayed tied up to docks.

“The forecast is for 20-foot waves or a little higher on just about all the Great Lakes − maybe a little less on Lake Huron,” said Daniel Titze, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor.

“It’s not super-common.”

Read more and view charts at this Detroit Free Press link: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/12/22/winter-storm-20-foot-waves-great-lakes/69751971007/

Soo Locks Money, New Great Lakes Icebreaker Authorized in Defense Bill

WASHINGTON, DC ­– An $858 billion national defense bill that President Joe Biden is expected to sign this week contains funding authorizations for a new Great Lakes icebreaker and increased spending on the Soo Locks shipping complex.

The U.S. Senate passed the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Dec. 15, sending the defense funding and policy bill to Biden’s desk.

As part of expanded U.S. Coast Guard authorizations, the bill allows for $350 million to build new heavy Great Lakes icebreaker like the cutter Mackinaw which is stationed in Cheboygan. It also requires new reporting on the economic impact of vessel delays on the lakes caused by ice.

Great Lakes shipping interests have long advocated for another heavy icebreaker despite historical data showing that total ice cover is on the long-term decline. Icebreaking began on Lake Superior last week.

The NDAA also authorizes $3.2 billion toward ongoing reconstruction at the Soo Locks shipping complex. That roughly triples the amount previously authorized for the infrastructure project after inflation and increasing costs of labor and materials ballooned cost estimates this year.

Over the next six years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reconfiguring the inactive Davis and Sabin locks into a single large chamber similar to the existing Poe Lock, which is the only lock big enough to move the largest Great Lakes ships.

Read more at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/12/soo-locks-money-new-great-lakes-icebreaker-authorized-in-defense-bill.html

Obituary: Charles J. Geiger

Charles J. Geiger, age 85, a Manitowoc resident, died on Thursday afternoon December 22, 2022, at his residence surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Charlie was born on August 29, 1937, in Manitowoc, son of the late Lawrence J. and Germaine A. (Mueller) Geiger. He was a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School with the class of 1955. On February 27, 1965, he married the former Joanne Neuser at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Manitowoc. After graduating from high school, Charlie was employed with D. Sullivan & Co. of Chicago, IL. as a mate and pilot on the great lakes for 14 years. He was then employed in the trucking and construction business. Charlie was later employed with C. Harvey Co. of Manitowoc until his retirement. He was a member of the Wisconsin Society of Ornithology, Bay Area Bird Club, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Detroit Marine Historical Society for over 50 years, Great Lakes Marine Historical Society, Friends of Branch River and a former member of the Bluebird Restoration Association.

Survivors include his wife: Joanne, Manitowoc; two brothers and two sisters-in-law: John and Carol Geiger, Trego, WI, Thomas and Connie Geiger, Picayune, MS; two sisters-in-law: Kathleen Miller, Elizabeth Neuser both of Manitowoc; two brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Norbert and Carol Neuser, Kewaskum, WI, Walter Aumann, Menominee Falls, WI, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Norbert and Blanche Neuser; sister: Ellen Aumann; brother-in-law: David Miller; one niece: Angela Geiger; one nephew: Bryan Aumann; and one great nephew: Elijah David Miller.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Kellnersville. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Santigo Turiano Jr. & Rev. Paul Demuth, with entombment to follow at Calvary Mausoleum, Manitowoc.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Kellnersville, from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM. The Lakeshore Family Funeral Home, Pfeffer location is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefuneralhomes.com

2022 list of new saltwater visitors to the Seaway

As the St. Lawrence Seaway and its locks are scheduled to close for the season on December 31, 2022, a look back at the season shows that there were 43 new saltwater visitors that made westbound transits through the Eisenhower Lock in Massena, NY. during the 2022 Great Lakes/Seaway shipping season. The 43 new visitors are up eight vessels from the 2021 season, in which there were 35 new visitors.

A breakdown from 2017-2021 shows the following number of new visitors in each year.
2021: 35
2020: 47
2019: 49
2018: 39
2017: 42

A list of the 43 new visitors in 2022 is as follows: ABB Vanessa, Ale, Barbro G, BBC Arkhangelsk, Bogdan, Brattingsborg, Bruce, Celine C, Charlie, Chem Tiger, Eagle, Egbert Wagenborg, FWN Splendide, Gwen, Harbour Express, Houtmangracht, Industrial Color, Janis, Jessica B, Lea Atk, Marguerita, Maxima, Nordic Aqua, Nordic Kylie, Nordika Desgagnes, Onego Duero, Onego Maas, Owl 2, Patagonman, Perelik, Pichon, Scot Bremen, Scot Leipzig, SFL Weser, Shipka, Sider London, Sloman Discoverer, Sophia, Sten Frigg, Sveva, Unisea, Verila and Vezhen.

Of note, the Malta-flagged tanker Scot Bremen was the last new visitor for the 2022 season to make an upbound transit of the Seaway. It arrived in Montreal on December 22, then departed December 23 for Hamilton.

Denny Dushane

Storm-force winds to sweep Great Lakes during blizzard, waves could top 25 feet

The incoming large-scale blizzard is forecast to be a heck of a storm for those of us living on Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. But it will also be a doozy of a blow out on our Great Lakes.

Vessels have been seeking shelter since late Thursday. Among them, Kaye E. Barker was anchored in Goulais Bay off the Canadian shore above the Soo. Herbert C. Jackson, Hon. James L. Oberstar, Paul R. Tregurtha and Philip R. Clarke were on the hook above DeTour. Mesabi Miner and James R. Barker were anchored at the southern end of the Keweenaw Peninsula, east side. American Mariner was headed for St. Ignace to drop anchor. Burns Harbor was stopped off Port Inland. Traffic in the Duluth/Superior area was at a standstill (see AIS map in the photo gallery).

Storm-force wind warnings covering Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior have been issued by the National Weather Service. These Storm Warning-strength winds, which are higher than Gale Force winds, are to whip across the Great Lakes Friday and into Saturday. Some of these wind gusts on Lake Superior could top out at nearly 70 mph, meaning they’d be approaching hurricane-force winds.

The waves being churched up by all this wind will be huge. The NWS meteorologists in Marquette expect waves up to 25 feet and some possibly higher on Lake Superior. That’s the same wave height as the monster storm that sent the famous Edmund Fitzgerald to the bottom in two pieces, with her 29 crew aboard, in 1975.

Waves could build to 19 feet in Lake Michigan along a stretch from Muskegon to South Haven. On Lake Huron, the biggest waves will be on the Canadian side of the lake. Lake Erie’s highest waves will be from the Cleveland area and east.

Back to Lake Superior, here’s what meteorologists from the NWS office in Marquette are forecasting:

“The wind … will be increasing to north gales Thursday night (to 51 mph), and then storm force winds (to 69 mph) through Saturday. The strong gale (to 51 mph) drops off by Sunday night. In addition to the winds, strong northerly winds will usher in cold air and a heavy freezing spray hazard and wind-driven waves in the eastern half could exceed 25 feet Saturday.”

Read the full report at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/12/storm-force-winds-to-sweep-great-lakes-during-blizzard-waves-could-top-25-feet.html

Algoma Central Corporation announces acquisition of two product tankers

ST. CATHARINES, ON – Algoma Central Corporation has announced that it has acquired two 18,894 dwt product tankers to join the Algoma product tankers fleet. Built in 2007, the sister ships were purchased to prepare for the coming replacement of two older vessels in the company’s product tanker fleet. Both vessels are well-suited to the company’s domestic tanker trades.

“The vessels are high quality additions to our product tanker fleet,” said Gregg Ruhl, president and CEO of Algoma,“ and mark an important step in our on-going fleet renewal journey, which is expanding to include renewal within our tanker fleet. It is important that we acquire the right ships, at the right time to ensure they fit our market and our commitment to deliver safe and sustainable transportation solutions to our customers for the long-term.”

The Algotitan, previously named the Chantaco, will operate on the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway and will be a strong addition to the fleet when the vessel begins domestic operations, expected in early 2023. The Algoberta, previously named the Chiberta, will begin her career with Algoma operating in Northwestern Europe and commercially managed by our partner Furetank AB of Sweden. The vessel will trade in Europe until the company is ready to bring her into Canadian trade, expected later in 2023. The Algoberta’s name is a nod to Algoma’s largest customer in the segment which calls Calgary, Alberta, home.

As of Thursday evening, Chantaco was at anchor off Hamilton, while Chiberta was at Keil, Germany.

In the third quarter of 2022, Algoma acquired a 2010 built Norwegian vessel named the Birgit Knutsen, which is a sister ship to the Algoterra. The vessel currently operates internationally under bareboat charter and has already proven to be a strong addition to the Product Tanker segment.

Algoma Central Corporation

St Lawrence Seaway’s new tug experiences issue ahead of 2022 buoy pull

After much anticipation, the St Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation’s (SLSDC) new $24 million tug, Seaway Guardian, was expected to get its first crack at serving as the replacement for the 64-year old tug Robinson Bay during the annual buoy retrieval mission, however the new tug has been benched for this year’s mission.

Earlier this week, Seaway Guardian departed the Massena marine base at the US Locks en route for Clayton, NY to begin work on retrieving buoys from Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River. The tug was just east of Morrisburg, ON when the crew reported an issue and determined it was best to return to Massena. Divers were summoned to assess the concern once back in Massena and the tug has since remained on the upper Eisenhower Lock wall since Monday.

With the clock ticking on the Seaway closure, which will occur on December 31 at Noon, the US Seaway has had to resort to finding an alternative vessel to help conduct the work.

After seeking assistance from Ocean Group that went unsuccessful, the Seaway was able to secure the Picton Terminal/Doornekamp tug, Amy Lynn D (ALD). ALD arrived at Eisenhower on Thursday morning before sunrise. It is currently unknown if the tug will take the place of Seaway Guardian completely or if it will serve as a support vessel, towing or pushing Guardian and her barge in order for the work to be done.

Seaway Guardian’s primary missions are to be buoy maintenance and ice management. It is also equipped to assist in firefighting and emergency operational response on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The new tug cost $24 million to construct as part of the SLSDC’s Asset Renewal Program and serves as the replacement of the 64-year-old vessel, Robinson Bay, which still remains part of the SLSDC fleet and is docked in Massena.

Construction of Seaway Guardian began back in 2018 with the keel being laid on June 26, 2018. The vessel launched on September 12, 2019. Sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico were completed in June 2020 and the tug began its delivery voyage to SLSDC’s marine base in Massena in July 2020. Since arriving in Massena, the tug has performed very little duties as the buoy tending barge had to undergo refit in Hamilton, ON. In November, the tug returned the barge from Hamilton as the crew prepared for this year’s buoy mission.

ALD’s crew is expected to return to Massena to begin its role in the operation on Boxing Day, December 26. Until then, no buoy work by the SLSDC will be completed.

Michael Folsom, Seaway Ship Watchers Network

Storm-force winds to sweep Great Lakes during blizzard, waves could top 25 feet

The incoming large-scale blizzard is forecast to be a heck of a storm for those of us living on Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. But it will also be a doozy of a blow out on our Great Lakes.

Storm-force wind warnings covering Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior already have been issued by the National Weather Service. These Storm Warning-strength winds, which are higher than Gale Force winds – are to whip across the Great Lakes on Friday and into Saturday. Some of these wind gusts on Lake Superior could top out at nearly 70 mph, meaning they’d be approaching hurricane-force winds.

The waves being churned up by all this wind will be huge. The NWS meteorologists in Marquette expect waves up to 25 feet and some possibly higher on Lake Superior. That’s the same wave height as the monster storm that sent the famous Edmund Fitzgerald to the bottom in two pieces, with her 29 crew aboard, in 1975.

Waves could build to 19 feet in Lake Michigan along a stretch from Muskegon to South Haven. On Lake Huron, the biggest waves will be on the Canadian side of the lake. Lake Erie’s highest waves will be from the Cleveland area and east.

Back to Lake Superior, here’s what meteorologists from the NWS office in Marquette are forecasting:

“The wind stays at (17 to 34 mph) today before increasing to north gales tonight to (51 mph), and then storm force winds to (69 mph) through Saturday. The strong gale to (51 mph) drops off then by Sunday night. In addition to the winds, strong northerly winds will usher in cold air and a heavy freezing spray hazard and wind-driven waves in the eastern half could exceed 25 feet Saturday.”

“Mariners with passage plans through Lake Superior tonight through Monday should make the appropriate plans now to avoid these conditions.

Read the full report at this MLive link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2022/12/storm-force-winds-to-sweep-great-lakes-during-blizzard-waves-could-top-25-feet.html

Last saltie of season reaches Duluth

DULUTH — The last ocean-going ship, or “saltie,” of the 2022 shipping season passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge just after 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The 624-foot-long Federal Kushiro , which flies under the Marshall Islands flag and is owned by FedNav of Canada, will be loaded with approximately 23,000 short tons of wheat at Duluth’s Ceres-Riverland Ag grain terminal before departing for Italy, according to Jayson Hron, spokesperson for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Hron said the ship is expected to leave Duluth on Thursday, Dec. 22, which would tie with 1984, 2016 and 2019 as the latest departure date of an ocean-going vessel in port history.

The ship needs to get through the St. Lawrence Seaway System before it closes next week.

All ships need to be clear of the Seaway, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, by noon Eastern Standard Time on Dec. 31. The Seaway typically reopens in late March.

The Soo Locks, which connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron and the rest of the Great Lakes at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, are scheduled to close Jan. 15 and will reopen March 25.

Duluth News Tribune

The history of that ship in Port Credit and how it got to Mississauga

Long before it ended up as a breakwater in Mississauga, the SS Ridgetown plied the Great Lakes under a different name.

Originally named the SS William E. Corey, the ship was built by the Chicago Shipbuilding Company and was launched on June 24, 1905, according to Great Lakes Vessel History. The ship was a steel-hulled, propeller-driven Great Lakes freighter, which spent about 64 years on the lakes.

Today, she is the fourth-oldest surviving Great Lakes freighter, according to Heritage Mississauga.

Read the full story here: https://www.insauga.com/the-history-of-that-ship-in-port-credit-and-how-it-got-to-mississauga/

insauga.com

Winter lay-up list for Sturgeon Bay

Here is the unofficial winter lay-up list for Bay Shipbuilding Co. Times are subject to change. DD means vessel is scheduled for drydocking.

WINTER FLEET 2022-2023

KEY LAKES                                   Estimated Arrival
CASON J. CALLAWAY                  IN
EDWIN H. GOTT                            12/27           DD
JOHN G. MUNSON                         1/16

AMERICAN STEAMSHIP
WALTER J. McCARTHY                 1/16               DD
INDIANA HARBOR                         1/16               DD

CENTRAL MARINE
JOSEPH L. BLOCK                         1/16
WILFRED SYKES                           1/16

INTERLAKE  
MARK W. BARKER                       1/16
MESABI MINER                             1/16

VanENKEVORT T/B 
BARGE ERIE TRADER                   1/16              DD
BARGE JOSEPH THOMPSON          1/16              DD
TUG LAURA VAN ENKEVORT       1/16           DD
TUG CLYDE VAN ENKEVORT        1/16             DD
BARGE GREAT LAKES TRADER    1/16
TUG JOYCE VAN ENKEVORT         1/16

TRIAD SEA CORP
MAJESTIC STAR 1                            IN
MAJESTIC STAR 11                            IN

Saltie BBC Kwiatkowski  aground in Seaway

The cargo ship BBC Kwiatkowski ran aground Sunday afternoon off Montreal-East. Tuesday morning, December 20, she had not yet been refloated. She is on the south side of the St. Lawrence River near Dufault Island, part of the Îles de Boucherville. She was en route to Antwerp, Belgium from Port Colborne but with a stopover in Montreal. On the scene this morning was the tug Ocean Pierre Julien.

Rene Beauchamp

Toledo port board awards $9.6M in contracts for new liquids depot

Construction of a new facility for storing and transferring bulk liquids at the Port of Toledo is slated to start in the spring after the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority’s board of directors awarded two contracts totaling nearly $10 million Thursday morning.

Under the larger of the two, Industrial Power Systems, Inc., of Rossford, will be paid $6,386,717 to prepare the site, build foundations, detention basins, and pipe racks, grade and install railroad spurs, and install fire-suppression systems and utilities. Nooter Toledo, meanwhile, received a $3,200,185 contract for building the pipes used for handling products and for vapor control, installation of power, communication, and lighting systems, and other mechanical and electrical work.

The winning bid from Industrial Power Systems was the lower of two the port authority received for that contract, and the Nooter bid was the lowest of three. Both came in slightly below engineers’ estimates for construction cost.

Brian Perz, the port authority’s director of facilities and development services, said he expected contract documents to be signed in January, followed by springtime construction. The work will take “all of 2023 for sure, if not into ’24,” he said.

The facility will have a single, 2.1-million-gallon tank, which will be provided by Midwest Terminals of Toledo International, which operates the general-cargo dock under a port authority contract.

The facility will add a new dimension to cargo-handling capability at the port authority’s general-cargo dock near the Maumee River’s mouth, which historically has handled mainly metals, dry-bulk commodities such as sugar and petroleum coke, machinery and industrial components, including wind-turbine towers, and a smattering of other cargoes like imported lumber.

Among the more common liquid bulk commodities shipped on the Great Lakes are petroleum products and liquid fertilizers. Joe Cappel, the port authority’s vice president for business development, said the new facility will not be dedicated to any particular product.

“The tank will be versatile enough to handle a wide range of liquid products that are transported in bulk,” he said. “Liquid bulk products can be transloaded from rail cars, trucks, and barges through this tank.”

The facility’s construction is part of more than $20 million in improvements the port authority is making at the dock, funded almost entirely with federal and state grants. Already underway is the reconstruction of its dock face and adjoining surface, including replacement of on-dock railroad tracks and removal of the rails once used by the facility’s traveling cranes, which have since been replaced with mobile cranes.

Toledo Blade

Coast Guard Begins Icebreaking Operations in Western Great Lakes

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Sainte Marie has commenced OperationTaconite, the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation, in response to expanded ice growth in the commercial ports of Western Lake Superior.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter SPAR is assigned to manage the ice breaking needs of Western Lake Superior, specifically the twin ports of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI. As ice coverage expands, U.S. Coast Guard officials will assign additional assets.

Operation Taconite is the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation. The operation encompasses Lake Superior, St. Marys River, the Straits of Mackinac, Georgian Bay, and all of Lake Michigan. Various commercial waterways may close after due consideration is given to the protection of the marine environment, the need for cross-channel traffic (e.g. ferries) and the safety of the island residents; who in the course of their daily business use naturally formed ice bridges for transportation to and from the mainland.

The implementation of Operation Taconite places additional movement criteria on commercial ships plying the Western Lakes, St. Marys River, and the Straits of Mackinac. These measures may include restricting tanker transits to daylight in the presence of ice, reducing speeds by 2 miles per hour in specified locations to reduce incidental ice breaking, and requiring additional voice and position reporting points throughout the operation’s area of responsibility.

U.S. Coast Guard

SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: Despite a report Friday from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (see below), the Herbert C. Jackson entered the MacArthur Lock before the set closing time of 7 a.m. Saturday. She reported upbound at Mission Point around 6:15 a.m. and was dispatched to the Mac Lock. Per radio traffic from the lockmaster, the MacArthur will continue to be used until Monday morning, when the vehicle bridge will be placed above the upper gates.

Frontenac closes MacArthur Lock for season

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The last MacArthur Lock passage of the season was the CSL vessel Frontenac, heading upbound. The Soo Locks’ MacArthur Lock will be closed to marine traffic 7:00 a.m. Dec. 17, 2022, through 12:01 a.m. April 24, 2023 to perform critical maintenance.

The Poe Lock will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, 2023, or until commercial traffic ceases, whichever occurs first.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers