The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Polsteam adds Polsteam Wadag to its growing Laker-Class fleet list

   SZCZECIN, POLAND – The Polish Steamship Co. (Polsteam) has added another vessel to its growing fleet of Laker-Class vessels.
   The newest addition is the Polsteam Wadag IMO 1027196 built in 2026 at Shanhaiguan, Quinhungdao, China. Polsteam Wadag becomes the 10th member of Polsteam’s Laker-Class fleet. The fleet’s renewal program began in 2024 with the addition of the Polsteam Dabie.
   Each of the 10 new vessels are 199.99 meters or 656 feet in length and 23.700 meters or 78 feet in width. The first three vessels in the series have three deck mounted cranes for loading and unloading bulk cargoes, whereas the remaining seven members of the series have four deck- mounted cranes.
   The 10 member Polsteam Laker-Class series built in 2024 are Polsteam Dabie IMO 9971850, Polsteam Koprowo IMO 9971862, Polsteam Lebsko IMO 9971874 and Polsteam Pile IMO 9971886. In 2025, three more vessels joined the series, Polsteam Okra IMO 9984819, Polsteam Rudno IMO 9984821 and Polsteam Insko IMO 9984833.
   Also in 2025, Polsteam added the Polsteam Weltyn IMO 9984845 built in 2025 and the Polsteam Wigry IMO 1027184. These two new vessels have yet to make any inland voyages to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway but are expected to arrive sometime in 2026, as is the Polsteam Wadag.
   The new vessels will be replacing older vessels in the Polsteam Laker-Class fleet. The new ships are named after lakes in Poland.

[Denny Dushane]

All locked up: winter maintenance efforts inside the Soo Locks

Abby LaForest, Ben Raymond

   SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. (WBUP/WJMN) — The Soo Locks have closed to marine traffic for their annual maintenance period, but the critical Great Lakes shipping gateway remains a hub of activity as engineers and technicians work to prepare the massive structures for another shipping season.
   While the locks are open, chambers and gates assist traveling ships by raising and lowering the boats between the levels of Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Currently, two locks are in operation during the navigation season – the MacArthur Lock and the Poe Lock – to help ships navigate the 21-foot drop along the St. Marys River to travel between the upper and lower Great Lakes.
   The locks typically shut down for 10 weeks between January and March, allowing maintenance crews to perform essential repairs and upgrades on the infrastructure that enables ships carrying iron ore and other materials to navigate between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
   The maintenance work presents unique challenges due to the age and scale of the facility, according to operations officials. The locks feature construction dating back to the 1940s and 1960s, requiring specialized expertise and custom-manufactured components.
   “We have 1960s and 1940s era construction, different types of materials, everything here. You can kind of think of it as it’s custom. This is not something that you can just go to the store and buy typically to, to fix or replace,” said LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Operations Manager for the Soo Locks. “So it does take like I said, it takes a lot of skilled, skilled workers, unique materials and that kind of thing are large components being the size and scale of, of this type of facility as well.”
   Ryckeghem explained that planning for winter maintenance is a massive strategic effort, requiring the work of engineers and skilled trades from every area to determine replacement and repair priorities.
   “It’s really important to do this type of maintenance during the non-navigation season, which is that ten-week shutdown we have between January 16th and March 25th. We start planning immediately as soon as we open. We’ll start looking at what worked well, what didn’t go well, and then what we need to prioritize for the following year,” said Ryckeghem. “It’s aging infrastructure, so it’s something that does take delicate time and attention to make sure we maintain (it) appropriately.”
   The complexity extends beyond visible repairs, Ryckeghem noted, with crews working on sophisticated technology systems that keep the locks operational throughout the shipping season.
   “There’s a lot going on and sometimes it’s just not visible, but very unique types of technology that we use too,” she said.
   While maintenance crews focus on the existing infrastructure, construction continues on a new lock that represents a significant investment in the facility’s future. The project, which began in 2020, reached its halfway point this past August, marking a major milestone in the multi-year effort to modernize the critical shipping channel.
   Taking great responsibility and pride in her role as the Operations Manager, Rychkeghem said that ensuring everyone can conduct their jobs safely during this maintenance period is top priority.
   “As the operations manager, I get to make sure that everybody here is able to do their job safely, and that they have the right equipment, tools and protective gear to be able to do that,” she included. “Obviously in the winter, it’s harsh conditions, so we make sure that we give time for proper safety training. We make sure that they have all of the adequate resources to do their jobs efficiently and safely. The rewarding part is seeing the actual work get done and the pride that everybody takes in completing that work.”
   The public will have an opportunity to witness the return of shipping activity when the locks reopen for the season. Officials have scheduled opening day for the end of March, when visitors will be invited to observe the first ships of the year transit through the massive structures.
   The Poe Lock is set to reopen on March 25th for shipping traffic. For more information about the Soo Locks, please visit some of the following websites:

[My UP now.com]
For full story and video click link:     https://www.myupnow.com/news/all-locked-up-winter-maintenance-efforts-inside-the-soo-locks/article_ca664e06-372d-4c9c-93a2-3a8871957ac 1.html