Happy 4th!
Michigan judge lets Mackinac Island ferry rates stand for now
A federal judge has ruled in favor of businesses that provide ferry rides to and from Mackinac Island, denying, at least temporarily, at the height of the summer tourism season, the northern Michigan destination’s bid to intervene in increased prices for fares and parking.
On Monday, four days before the Fourth of July, U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker granted a request from Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Mackinac Island Ferry Company to preliminarily block a local ordinance that sought to expand Mackinac Island’s oversight of a variety of fees charged by the businesses for services, like parking and baggage.
Jonker also rejected a request from Mackinac Island’s lawyers to stop the businesses from imposing additional fee hikes — like jumps in parking fees that went to effect Tuesday — without the city’s approval.
As the legal fight continues to play out, the outcome, for now, ensures “uninterrupted ferry service” to the island, Jonker wrote in his decision.
“In the interim, some consumers may pay more for ferry service than the city believes they should be paying,” added Jonker, an appointee of President George W. Bush. “But that harm is far eclipsed by the risk of a mid-season ferry disruption with potentially ruinous consequences for residents, guests, and businesses that have planned their trips and operations on rates and schedules published last fall.”
Third generation Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry president Chris Shepler walks amongst the dry docked ferries for the winter off season in Mackinaw City, Michigan on March 12, 2021.
The dispute between the businesses and Mackinac Island was spurred by fee increases that came after an out-of-state company took control of both ferry businesses that offer regularly scheduled trips to Mackinac Island.
In 2022, the Hoffmann Family of Companies purchased Shepler’s ferry service. Two years later, in June 2024, Hoffmann Marine announced it had acquired the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, formerly known as the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry Company.
The Detroit News
Crew member falls overboard from cargo ship
THUNDER BAY – An investigation is being launched after a person fell overboard from a cargo ship.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) stated that a team of investigators is being sent to the Port of Thunder Bay to investigate the incident in which a crew member fell overboard from the cargo vessel Kathy McKeil. The TSB will gather information and assess the occurrence.
In an email to the TSB, they were only able to confirm that the incident occurred on Thursday.
An official with the Port Authority of Thunder Bay confirmed the crew member did not sustain any serious injury.
TB Newswatch
Coast Guard District Nine renamed to Great Lakes District
CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard has announced the renaming of its
operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under
Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard
District Nine will now be known as Great Lakes District.
This strategic change, directed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on May
21, 2025, aims to indicate more accurately the regions they serve and represent.
Renaming operational districts revises a numbered system established during World
War II, when the Coast Guard operated as part of the Navy to ensure alignment
between the services. In the 80 years since the Coast Guard separated from the Navy,
the Service has maintained the numbered districts. However, the Navy stopped using
numbered districts over 25 years ago. Updating operational districts to regional names
will more clearly align districts with their areas of responsibility, facilitate collaboration
with interagency partners, and ensure the American public and maritime stakeholders
can easily find and understand the districts in which they live, recreate, and operate.
This change is a direct action within FD2028’s Organization campaign, which focuses
on adapting the Coast Guard’s structure to remain effective and responsive.
The new geographic names, approved by the Department of Homeland Security, are as
follows:
District 1: USCG Northeast District
District 5: USCG East District
District 7: USCG Southeast District
District 8: USCG Heartland District
District 9: USCG Great Lakes District
District 11: USCG Southwest District
District 13: USCG Northwest District
District 14: USCG Oceania District
District 17: USCG Arctic District
“This renaming is more than just a change in labels; it’s a critical step in our journey to
become a more agile, capable, and responsive fighting force,” said Acting Commandant
Kevin E. Lunday.
“Under Force Design 2028, we are driving fundamental changes to
speed decision-making, improve strategic alignment, and ultimately best serve the
American people for decades to come. This initiative underscores our commitment to
ensuring that change is lasting and has an enduring impact on the Service and the
Nation, as directed by the President and the Secretary.”
This change will not impact operations or change existing geographical district
boundaries in the Ninth District. To memorialize the updated names for operational
districts, the Coast Guard is undertaking the process of formally changing district names
in the Code of Federal Regulations. Through this process, the Coast Guard will continue
to communicate with stakeholders and provide updated resources and information as
appropriate.
USCG
$20 million for Port of Green Bay expansion included in state budget proposal
Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers’ tentative budget will include $20 million for expansion of the Port of Green Bay that will help clear the way for C. Reiss to move the coal piles from downtown Green Bay.
State Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto, announced July 1 the money is included in the proposed budget. In early June, Wimberger and state Rep. Benjamin Franklin, R-De Pere, introduced a budget motion to secure funding for port development.
The money would go toward key improvements to the port including construction of a new 800-foot dock wall, dredging part of the Fox River to allow ships to access the new Pulliam site, a new stormwater detention basin, and installing mooring features.
The improvements would prepare the Pulliam site for C. Reiss to transfer its salt there. On June 5, the city, county, and C. Reiss agreed to a deal to lease 16 acres of the county-owned Pulliam site to store salt and so the coal piles could be stored at the nearby Fox River Terminal.
“Brown County and northeast Wisconsin will finally be able to expand its port and take major shipping for generations,” Wimberger said in a news release.
The money in the proposed state budget brings the funds for port development up to over $50 million. A $15 million state grant was secured for relocation of the coal piles through the Neighborhood Investment Fund Program. Other funds come from:
$10.1 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant
$500,000 Idle Sites Grant from Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. to help buy the property
$3.2 million in Brown County American Rescue Plan Act dollars
$2.1 million in WisDOT Harbor Assistance Grants
“The Joint Finance Committee’s action today will complete the Port’s development, and set northeast Wisconsin up to accept major shipping for generations, creating new opportunities for the industries and businesses that make up the backbone of our communities,” Franklin said.
The Joint Finance Committee will take votes on the remainder of the budget July 1, and the full Legislature will discuss a vote on the budget July 2.
Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich said the additional state dollars could render the city’s commitment to fund up to $2.2 million in project costs moot or unnecessary, which would be a positive for local taxpayers. In general, though, he said the state funding was good news.
“Any time we see investment in the City of Green Bay by the State of Wisconsin, we’re encouraged,” Genrich said.
Genrich said the city remains focused on its role in the effort to relocate coal storage from the central city: Working with C. Reiss to redevelop the existing coal piles site south of West Mason Street. He said the community may, years from now, seek additional state funds to help with that redevelopment effort, too.
Fincantieri Taps New U.S. CEO Amid American Shipbuilding Revival
7/3/2025
By Alberto Brambilla, Antonio Vanuzzo and Laura Curtis (Bloomberg) —
Fincantieri SpA is set to appoint George Moutafis as head of its US unit, according to people familiar with the matter, betting on an American shipbuilding revival under President Donald Trump.
As chief executive officer of Fincantieri Marine Group, Moutafis will oversee an expansion set to include hundreds of hires, according to the people, who asked not to be named discussing private information. He previously held senior strategy and program roles at the US unit, and is returning after a stint as chief operating officer of Beretta US.
A representative for Fincantieri declined to comment.
The Italian state-controlled shipbuilder employs more than 3,000 people in the US, where it owns four shipyards and holds contracts with the US Navy. Fincantieri has invested $800 million in US activities since 2009; half of that sum was allocated to its Marinette Marine location in Wisconsin. The company has tentative plans to hire hundreds at the site, the people said, where it manufactures a range of naval vessels including frigates, littoral combat ships and tug boats.
Fincantieri plans to resume building icebreaker ships at Marinette, aligning its interests with the Trump administration’s plans for a greater Arctic presence and counter Russian influence. The region has attracted growing attention as melting ice opens up shipping channels and the potential for energy and mineral resource exploration. The president has called for adding dozens of icebreakers to the American fleet.
The US hasn’t produced ocean-going vessels in large numbers since the 1970s. But interest in maritime security has grown in Washington under former President Joe Biden and Trump, who has called for the return of US shipbuilding as part of a wider effort to boost American manufacturing and jobs.
Fincantieri joins a handful of other foreign shipbuilders seeking to capitalize on that push.
Hanwha Shipping vowed to turn out the first US-built LNG tanker at its Hanwha Philly Shipyard, purchased last year by the South Korean conglomerate. HD Hyundai recently announced plans to build medium-sized container ships at Edison Chouest Offshore’s Tampa Ship facility. And Chantier Davie Canada Inc. is in talks to buy assets in Galveston and Port Arthur.
In Italy, Fincantieri is making plans to devote more of its production capacity to making warships, while moving some civil shipbuilding to other locations, Bloomberg reported this week.
Shares of Trieste-based Fincantieri have more than doubled this year, amid a rally in European defense stocks.
© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.
