Noteworthy Passages

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Lake Erie Ports – October 25

Oct 26, 2026

Monroe, MI: H. Lee White arrived with coal for DTE.

Toledo, OH: H. Lee White departed for Monroe. In port are Herbert C. Jackson at CSX, Caroline McKee/Commander at SMC Toledo, Federal Oshima at Kuhlamns and Polsteam Insko at Midwest Terminals.

Cleveland, OH: Samuel deChamplain/Innovation departed for Alpena. In port are Wilfred Sykes, Egbert Wagenborg and American Courage.

Conneaut, OH: Indiana Harbor departed for Two Harbors.

Port Colborne, ON: Departing were Algosolis for Montreal, Shipka to Port Weller and CSL Welland for Montreal. In port are Blair McKeil and Algoma Compass.

Bill Kloss

An Early-morning Visit from the Sam Laud

Oct 25, 2026

At daybreak Sunday, Oct. 25, the Sam Laud was making her way out of Ludington, MI. Her broad black hull and rust-streaked white bow stood against a soft October sky, with two crew members visible near the forecastle. After a brief visit to unload stone, the veteran Great Lakes freighter was headed south again. The Sam Laud arrived in Ludington at about 4 a.m. from the Drummond Island Quarry in northern Lake Huron. She discharged a portion of her cargo of stone aggregate at Rieth-Riley Construction’s Great Lakes Materials terminal on Pere Marquette Lake. By about 8:30 a.m., she had departed for St. Joseph, MI, where the remainder of her cargo was to be unloaded.

Read more on Rob Alway’s Great Lakes Boat Blog

Lake Erie Ports – October 24

Oct 25, 2026

Monroe, MI: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed for Stoneport and Calumet arrived with limestone for DTE. Once empty she left for Detroit.

Toledo, OH: Arrivals were Federal Oshima to The Andersons, H. Lee White to CSX, Caroline McKee/Commander to SMC Toledo and Herbert C. Jackson to CSX. Polsteam Insko is at Midwest Terminals. Departing was Samuel deChamplain/Innovation for Cleveland.

Cleveland, OH: Wilfred Sykes is anchored to wait for a spot at Cliffs. Samuel deChamplain/Innovation arrived with cement for Amrize. Departures were Mark W. Barker for South Chicago and Federal Oshima for Toledo. Egbert Wagenborg is at the Port docks. American Courage is running shuttles for Cliffs.

Fairport Harbor, OH: Herbert C. Jackson unloaded limestone at Carmeuse then left for Toledo.

Conneaut, OH: Indiana Harbor arrived with ore for the P&C Dock.

Port Colborne, ON: At the anchorage are Algosolis and Shipka. Docked in the canal are Algoma Compass and CSL Welland. Molly M1 departed for Burns Harbor.

Nanticoke, ON: Baie Comeau arrived at Stelco. Departures were Algoterra for Tracy, Algosolis for Montreal and Baie Comeau for Windsor.

Bill Kloss

Lake Superior Ports – October 24

Oct 24, 2026

Duluth-Superior Harbor

The Twin Ports was a busy place the last few days despite the pea-soup fog. At the Superior entry, Stewart J. Cort departed at 04:20 central Thursday morning with iron ore pellets but was forced to turn around due to mechanical issues; they arrived back through Superior at 15:30 with tug assistance to get repairs done at SMET. At Duluth, Mesabi Miner arrived at 21:10 Thursday night to load iron ore pellets at CN Dock 6. American Century arrived at the Superior entry a few hours later at 22:30 for repairs at the pipeline dock. On Friday, Muntgracht was the first to move, departing Duluth at 13:50 for Milwaukee. Great Republic arrived at 14:55 with limestone for Graymont and Mesabi Miner departed at 16:45 with iron ore pellets for Toledo.
As of Friday night, Stewart J. Cort was still being repaired at SMET, Great Republic was unloading at Graymont and American Century was being repaired at Lakehead Pipeline. Great Republic is expected to depart early Saturday morning empty for Marquette, and Algoma Intrepid is expected mid-morning at the Superior entry.

Two Harbors

Walter J. McCarthy Jr. arrived in Two Harbors at 10:10 central Thursday morning; they departed port at 00:36 Friday morning for Conneaut. Edwin H. Gott arrived at 01:59 and is still loading there Friday night. Once the Gott leaves early Saturday, no vessels are expected in port until Monday.

Silver Bay

Burns Harbor departed Silver Bay early Thursday at 05:38 central with iron ore pellets for Burns Harbor, Indiana. Lee A Tregurtha arrived at 19:20 Friday evening to load for Toledo; they are expected to depart early Saturday.

Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay was relatively quiet the last few days compared to recent weeks. Baie St. Paul arrived in port early Thursday at 00:37 eastern to load coal at Thunder Bay Terminals. Hammarland arrived at 10:44 to unload general cargo at Keefer Terminal. Baie St. Paul departed at 18:01 for Port Daniel. Federal Hamilton departed at 22:03 Thursday night with grain. Finally, G3 Marquis arrived at 22:28 Friday evening to load wheat at the G3 elevator. Algoma Niagara and Coe Luisa are due in port Saturday afternoon and evening.

Marquette

Joseph L. Block arrived in port Thursday morning at 02:55 eastern to load iron ore pellets for Indiana Harbor; they departed at 17:14 that same day. Hon. James L. Oberstar is due early Saturday to unload limestone for Tilden before loading iron ore pellets. John G. Munson is due mid-evening.

Scott Bjorklund

Lake Erie Ports – October 22

Oct 23, 2026

Toledo, OH: Arrivals were Algoma Endeavour to CSX, Coe Luisa and CSL Assiniboine, both to Midwest Terminals and John G. Munson to Torco. Departures were American Patriot to Detroit, Algoma Endeavour for Hamilton, CSL Assiniboine to Misterskys in Detroit and Coe Luisa for Thunder Bay. In port are Federal Satsuki and Victory/Maumee.

Marblehead, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed for Lorain.

Sandusky, OH: Kaye E. Barker arrived to load coal at Norfolk Southern. She left for Zug Island once loaded.

Lorain, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader unloaded limestone at Amrize then left for Sandusky.

Cleveland, OH: Arriving were Petite Forte/St. Marys Cement to SMC Jefferson St. and CarolineMcKee/Commander to SMC Columbus St., both to unload cement. Once empty at the Bulk Terminal, Kaye E. Barker departed for Sandusky and Tamarack left for Bath, ON. Mark W. Barker ran a shuttle then moved to Cargill to load salt. Federal Oshima and Egbert Wagenborg are unloading at the Port docks.

Fairport Harbor, OH: Frontenac arrived to load at Morton Salt.

Ashtabula, OH: Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader departed for Detroit.

Erie, PA: Robert S. Pierson arrived with salt to unload at Carmeuse.

Buffalo, NY: H. Lee White arrived with grain for the ADM Standard Elevator.

Nanticoke, ON: Algoberta departed with petroleum products for Sainte Victoire, PQ and Algoterra is loading at Imperial Oil.

Bill Kloss

Lake Superior Report Oct 21 2026

Oct 22, 2026

Duluth-Superior Harbor

American Integrity arrived in Duluth at 03:35 central Wednesday morning for CN Dock 6. As of Wednesday night, American Integrity was loading at CN, Muntgracht was still unloading at Port Terminal #8 and Stewart J. Cort was still at BN Dock 5. The Integrity is expected to depart sometime early Thursday with iron ore pellets for Cleveland; Stewart J Cort should also be departing sometime early morning. Mesabi Miner is expected to arrive at the Duluth Ship canal Thursday evening for CN Dock 6.

Two Harbors

Indiana Harbor departed Two Harbors at 09:35 central Wednesday morning for Conneaut. Presque Isle then moved to the shiploader to eventually depart at 20:25 for Gary. As of Wednesday night, no vessels were in port. Walter J. McCarthy Jr. is expected in port mid-morning Thursday.

Silver Bay

Burns Harbor spent all of Wednesday loading at Northshore Mining. They should be departing sometime early Thursday for Burns Harbor, Indiana.

Thunder Bay

The Canadian head of the lakes experienced a departure en mass with most vessels leaving throughout the day Wednesday: Federal Michigan departed at 09:23 eastern with potash, Koznitza departed at 15:53 with potash, Kaministiqua departed at 16:33 with grain, Rodopi departed at 19:14 with grain and CSL Welland departed at 19:21 with grain. As of Wednesday, only Federal Hamilton was in port loading grain at the main Richardson elevator. Baie St. Paul is due to arrive early Thursday.

Marquette

Marquette was quiet Wednesday with no major vessel activity. Joseph L. Block is due in port early Thursday.

Scott Bjorklund

Lake Erie Ports – October 21

Oct 22, 2026

Monroe, MI: Defiance/Ashtabula departed for Calcite.

Toledo, OH: Algoma Endeavour and CSL Assiniboine are anchored in the lake. In port are American Patriot and Federal Satsuki. Departures were Wilf Seymour/Alouette Spirit for Windsor and Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Michigan Trader for Stoneport. Victory/Maumee was a late night arrival with ore for Torco.

Marblehead, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader arrived to load limestone at Amrize.

Cleveland, OH: Arrivals were Kaye E. Barker with ore for the Bulk Terminal, Mark W. Barker with limestone for RiverDock, Federal Oshima to Dock 24W at the Port, Tamarack with cement for Amrize, Petite Forte/St. Marys Cement to SMC Jefferson St. and Egbert Wagenborg to Dock 2XX at the Port. Once empty at RiverDock, Mark W. Barker moved to the Bulk Terminal to load a shuttle.

Fairport Harbor, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed for Marblehead.

Ashtabula, OH: Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader arrived with limestone for Pinney Dock #1.

Buffalo, NY: Departing were Algoma Intrepid for Thunder Bay and New York/Double Skin 509A for Detroit. {H. Lee White}

Port Colborne, ON: Frontenac departed for Fairport Harbor.

Nanticoke, ON: Algoberta is loading at Imperial Oil.

Bill Kloss

Lake Superior Ports – October 21

Oct 21, 2026

Duluth-Superor Harbor

Spliethoff’s Muntgracht arrived in Duluth around 16:50 central Tuesday evening carrying general cargo from Italy. On the Superior side, Stewart J. Cort arrived at 21:00 to load iron ore pellets at BN Dock 5. As of Tuesday night, Muntgracht was unloading at Port Terminal #8 and Cort was loading at BN in Superior. American Integrity is expected early Wednesday morning to load iron ore pellets at CN Dock 6. Stewart J Cort will be departing sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Two Harbors

Two Harbors was busy Tuesday with three vessels coming and going. American Spirit arrived at 05:32 central and departed at 15:40 with Minntac flux iron ore pellets bound for Gary. Indiana Harbor arrived at 21:45 Tuesday evening to load at the shiploader; Presque Isle arrived a few hours later at 23:41 to wait for their turn at the shiploader. Indiana Harbor should depart sometime Wednesday morning.

Silver Bay

Burns Harbor arrived in Silver Bay at 16:15 central Tuesday afternoon to load iron ore pellets at Northshore Mining. They continued to load Tuesday evening and should be departing sometime Wednesday.

Thunder Bay

Tuesday was a busy day for ship traffic in Thunder Bay. Federal Michigan arrived at 00:58 eastern, Kaministiqua arrived at 11:36, Algoma Discovery departed at 13:22 with grain bound for Baie Comeau, Algoma Innovator departed at 15:14 with grain for Hamilton, Blair McKeil departed at 15:27 with grain for Windsor, CSL Welland arrived at 15:48 to load grain, Rodopi arrived at 16:22 to also load grain, and finally Federal Hamilton arrived at 19:14 to load grain.
As of Tuesday night, Rodopi was loading at Cargill’s Superior Elevator, Koznitza was loading at MobilEx, Federal Michigan was loading at Thunder Bay Terminals, CSL Welland was loading at Bunge’s Pool 7A, Federal Hamilton was loading at Richardson Main and Kaministiqua was loading at Current River. Baie St. Paul is due Thursday morning.

Marquette

John G. Munson was the only vessel in Marquette Tuesday, arriving at 14:02 and departing at 21:51 with iron ore pellets for Toledo. Joseph L. Block is due in port early Thursday morning.

Scott Bjorklund

USCG Buoy Tender Sequoia Towed Back to Port Huron

Oct 21, 2026

USCG Sequoia under tow of Erica Kobasic and Nickelena. [Rosann Hollinger]

STURGEON BAY, WI – The USCG buoy tender Sequoia has been at Bay Shipbuilding Co. in Sturgeon Bay, WI, for gearbox repairs the past several months, but Monday she was headed back to her Port Huron, MI, home port under tow. The tug Nickelena was on the bow and Erika Kobasic was at the stern. A new gearbox is being made and Sequoia will return to the yard in the spring to have it installed.

Sequoia, a 225-foot Juniper-class seagoing buoy tender, arrived at Port Huron, replacing the cutter Hollyhock, in September 2025 after a major refit at Baltimore, MD.

Rosann Hollinger

Lake Erie Ports – October 20

Oct 21, 2026

Monroe, MI: Defiance/Ashtabula arrived with coal for DTE.

Toledo, OH: Defiance/Ashtabula loaded coal at CSX then left for Monroe. American Patriot arrived at the Cherry St. dock and Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Michigan Trader arrived with ore for Ironville. Federal Satsuki is at ADM and Wilf Seymour/Alouette Spirit is at Midwest Terminals.

Marblehead, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader departed for Fairport Harbor and Mark W. Barker moved to Amrize where she loaded and left for Cleveland.

Cleveland, OH: Departures were Federal Hunter to Detroit and American Courage for Calcite. Once empty, Algoma Buffalo moved to Cargill to load salt.

Fairport Harbor, OH: Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader arrived with limestone for Osborne.

Conneaut, OH: American Century departed for Superior.

Buffalo, NY: In port are Algoma Intrepid and New York/Double Skin 509A.

Port Colborne, ON: Frontenac is at ADM.

Nanticoke, ON: Algoberta arrived to load at Imperial Oil.

Bill Kloss