Port of Cleveland seeks to remove, recycle, dismantled historic Hulett ore unloaders

Cleveland, Ohio – The dream of reassembling one of the giant Hulett ore unloaders that
once served Cleveland’s steel industry appears to be over.

Will Friedman, president and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, told cleveland.com and The
Plain Dealer Friday afternoon that the agency is seeking bids for the removal of two
dismantled Huletts that have been stacked in a pile since 2000 at the Port’s Cleveland
Bulk Terminal, just west of Wendy Park on Whiskey Island.

The Hulett was an ore unloader that was widely used on the Great Lakes.

The Hulett was invented by George Hulett of Conneaut, Ohio, in the late 19th century.
The Hulett machine revolutionized iron ore shipment on the Great Lakes. Previous
methods of unloading lake freighters, involving hoists and buckets and much hand
labor, cost approximately 18¢/ton. Unloading with Huletts cost only 6¢/ton. (in 1901
dollars) Unloading only took 5 to 10 hours, as opposed to days for previous methods.

Lake boat designs changed to accommodate the Hulett unloader, and became much
larger, doubling in length and quadrupling in capacity.

By 1913, 54 Hulett machines were in service. Two were built at Lake Superior
(unloading coal) and five at Gary, Indiana, but the vast majority were along the shores
of Lake Erie. The additional unloading capacity they brought helped permit a greater
than doubling of the ore traffic in the 1900–1912 period. A total of approximately 75
Huletts were built.

The lake’s Huletts were used until about 1992, when self-unloading boats were standard
on the American side of the lake. All have since been dismantled. In 1999, only six
remained, the group of four at Whiskey Island in Cleveland, the oldest. Another set was
used unloading barges of coal in South Chicago until 2002 and were demolished in the
spring of 2010.

In spite of the Cleveland machines being on the National Register of Historic Places and
designated as a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, they were demolished in
2000 by the Cleveland Port Authority to enable development of the underlying land. The
Port Authority disassembled and retained two Huletts, to enable their reconstruction at
another site, but the reconstruction never happened.

View a video of the Huletts in operation here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGQGh1X0MuA

The warm, dry winter continues.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON – It will be no surprise to anyone that the month of January will be
one of the warmest on record. The daytime highs were only a degree or two warmer
than normal when averaged out over the entire month, but the overnight lows were
about six degrees warmer than normal. Overnight lows dropped below minus twenty
only once during the whole month.

This past month, we counted about half of the snowfall we would typically see in
January. The lack of snow for this month and December, combined with a drier-than-
normal Fall, leaves little snow in the bush, low lake levels and minimal recovery from the
dry conditions last summer.

We might see some brief sun Monday morning before clouds move during the afternoon
as daytime highs reach +2°C. Wet snow arrives in the evening, bringing 2-5cm of
accumulation overnight. A few flurries are possible Tuesday morning, with the rest of
the day being cloudy as temperatures reach +2°C again.

Wednesday and Thursday bring a mix of sun and cloud as daytime highs climb to +3°C.
A northwest wind brings slightly cooler air on Friday under mostly sunny skies.

Soo Today

Happy 125 th anniversary to Algoma Central Corp.

Watch a video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Mfp_ooOZ0

Biden delivers grant for Twin Ports infrastructure

SUPERIOR, WI – A presidential announcement may be the worst-kept secret in the
Twin Ports after a Minnesota congressman who voted against the funding bill let the
secret out. That doesn’t make it any less historic.

After all, the federal government would pay more than $1.32 billion to bridge the Twin
Port cities of Duluth and Superior. It’s the single largest grant the federal government
has ever awarded, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

President Joe Biden announced the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation
during a nearly four-hour trip to Superior on Thursday, Jan. 25, that took him to Connors
Point, Earth Rider Brewery, Cedar Lounge and the Superior Fire Department
headquarters.

Biden says his Investing in America agenda is mobilizing private sector investment in
the United States, bringing back American manufacturing after decades of off-shoring,
and creating new, good-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.

In Wisconsin, private companies have announced more than $2 billion in investments,
including clean energy manufacturing in New Berlin, biomanufacturing in Madison and
Verona, and clean power across the state. Another $6.3 billion in public infrastructure
and clean energy investments have been allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Minnesota has seen similar public and private
investments.

The infrastructure law allocated $110 billion to roads and bridges nationwide. The Twin
Ports would receive less than 1% of that and still receive the nation’s largest grant ever
awarded to rebuild the Blatnik Bridge.

During the White House press briefing Wednesday, Jan. 24, press secretary Karine
Jean-Pierre declined to get ahead of the president’s announcement in Superior. She
wouldn’t say if the president would call out U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., after he
took credit for advocating for Blatnik Bridge funding made possible by the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, a bill he opposed.

On Nov. 5, 2021, Stauber announced his vote in a news release because it was
part of the Democrats; multi-trillion-dollar tax-and-spend package; that is not about
real infrastructure. … I will not be complicit in paving a destructive and irreversible path
towards socialism.”

Biden didn’t call out Stauber, but he noted the many infrastructure of the
Donald Trump administration that didn’t deliver.

In 2023, each state committed $400 million to pay for the estimated $1.8 billion Blatnik
Bridge replacement project. Minnesota has a Democratic legislature and Wisconsin has
a near-Republican super-majority. The president said the state funding is vital to
ensuring the bridge project happens.

The story we’re writing is much bigger than that, Biden said.When you see the
shovels in the ground and the cranes in the sky and people hard at work on these
projects, I hope you feel a sense of pride, pride in your community, pride in what we can
still accomplish in America. … We’re the only country in the world that comes out
stronger after every crisis we’ve been in.

The High Bridge, renamed the Blatnik Bridge in 1971, was built between 1958 and
1961, after decades of efforts to replace the old Interstate Bridge, which carried most
vehicle traffic between Duluth and Superior. The new 7,975-foot bridge opened to traffic
in December 1961 at a cost of $15 million.

Then, the federal government paid 90% of the cost, leaving Minnesota and Wisconsin to
share the remaining 10%.

The bridge was built with the expectation of peak traffic of about 14,000 vehicles a day
but by the early 1990s, the bridge was averaging about 26,000 vehicles a day. Most
recently, daily traffic peaked at 33,000 vehicles per day with more than $4 billion in
goods transiting the bridge.

An early 1990s rehabilitation of the Blatnik Bridge widened its approaches but added a
heavier deck and concrete railings to replace the curb between the northbound and
southbound lanes, increasing the deck load.

The estimated $1.8 billion project calls for the demolition of the existing bridge to
construct the new bridge over a nearly five-year period.

Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, said Thursday that
the Blatnik is essential to the efficient, safe flow of critical cargoes through our world
port, both on the road and on the water.

It’s a vital artery within the Upper Midwest supply chain, linking North America’s
furthest-inland seaport and helping move the raw materials of everyday life, she said.
We’re grateful for this significant U.S. DOT investment in such an important piece of
infrastructure. This is a bi-state project and it took organized advocacy from both sides
of the bridge to ensure a successful outcome. We greatly appreciate Wisconsin and
Minnesota legislators’ support of the project throughout the process.”

Superior Telegram

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Great Lakes fleet prepares for 2024 shipping season

STURGEON BAY, WI – Large freighters were on the move in Door County Monday
morning as vessels gathered for the Winter Fleet lay up at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
in Sturgeon Bay.

A few miles northwest of Sturgeon Bay, a team of tug boats helped the area’s latest
maritime arrival, the 727-foot long freighter American Mariner. Paul Klapatch and LuAnn
Ferron of Sturgeon Bay say Bullhead Point across the channel from Fincantieri Bay
Shipbuilding is a popular spot to watch ships.

“My wife and I come down here twice a day, and she belongs to a site called Ship
Watchers. And anytime these ships are coming in, we like to come down here and
check them out, and watch them come up the bay,” said Klapatch.

“The American Mariner is coming in. She’s been kind of fun to watch on Ship Watchers,
because she was trolling up and down the other coast in Lake Michigan for several
days. And then she finally went over the top, and came back down,” said Ferron.

“All the Great Lakes ships need to find somewhere to go during what we call hard water
season,” said Sam Perlman, Door County Maritime Museum deputy director.

Perlman says the Mariner is part of Sturgeon Bay’s Winter Fleet. “We’ll have anywhere
between 12 and 16 vessels parked at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. They kind of Jenga
them in, and it will be probably anywhere between two and three miles of boat,” he said.

Perlman says the repair and maintenance schedule makes it a busy time at the
shipyard, and around town too. “There are folks who come in, want to spend time, want
to see the vessels. They’ll come into the museum, they’ll eat at local restaurants,” he
said.

Back at Bullhead Point, the American Mariner continues to creep. “The ships have
always been fascinating. I thought everybody knew about ships growing up, and it’s like
no, it’s very unique to us,” Ferron said.

The Winter Fleet will remain in port typically until the Soo Locks on Lake Superior open
again for the season. This year, that’s scheduled for April 24.

WTAQ

Tug Manitou changes hands

Reports from the northeast lower Michigan area indicate the Malcom Marine Inc. tug
Manitou has been sold to Ryba Marine Construction of Cheboygan, MI.

The Port Huron-based tug, which is usually stationed in Alpena during the winter for ice-breaking, tied
up at the Ryba dock on Monday.

Malcolm Marine has been in the marine construction, towing and salvage business for
over 60 years, with the Manitou being captained by Dave Malcom, son of the founders.

Saginaw River – Commercial
Shipping Season Report – 2023

By Todd A. Shorkey

The 2023 shipping season for the Saginaw River is now complete, and while the overall
number of commercial vessel passages declined from the previous year, it still ended
up being a very interesting season with a few exciting firsts along the way.

The downturn in the number of vessel passages can be attributed to two things: The
elimination of the use of coal at the Consumers Energy, Dan E. Karn power plant in
Essexville and no new deliveries of wind turbine components for wind farm projects.

After 16 coal deliveries to the Consumers Energy power plant in 2022, that number was
zero in 2023. Also in 2022, there were 11 deliveries of wind turbine components such as
blades, tower segments, hubs, and nacelles. Again, that number dropped to zero in
2023. If you factor in the resulting 27 lost loads from these segments, the number of
deliveries in 2023 would have been ahead of last season by a small number, so it is
encouraging to see the other markets remaining stable and even increasing as in the
case of the cement market.

Even though the number of passages declined in 2023, the season was still fourth
busiest on the Saginaw River over the past 15 years. I don’t think we will ever see the
big 300 plus vessel passage seasons that we did when I first started keeping track of
these vessel passages during the early to mid-2000s, but there are areas in which we
could see increased traffic in the future.

I have to mention this every season, because the recognition is definitely warranted: A
lot of hard work continues to be put in by the industry leaders, not just here on the
Saginaw River locally, but across the entire Great Lakes region.

These leaders continue to actively pursue improvements in infrastructure and to
diversify the type of products that are transported by water. The resulting victories,
when they happen, allow more opportunities to utilize maritime assets to move
products, moving it more economically and more efficiently than other modes of
transportation. More than ever, this continues to be crucial as traditional high-volume
cargo such as coal and taconite are seeing changes.

Coal fired, electric power generating plants continue to be taken off-line. Many changes
are also happening in the steel industry, with changes in company ownership,
production and steel-making methods.

On the Saginaw River, there are no longer any
coal fired electrical generating units. Consumers Energy’s Dan E. Karn plant has only
has two remaining electrical generating units, powered by natural gas and oil. The plant
is currently scheduled to be retired completely in 2031. As it does each year, it
continues to be my hope that the work being put in now by these leaders in Great Lakes
Shipping will continue to lead to more opportunities for commercial shipping and better
things to come going forward into the future.

The following report is a look back on the 2023 commercial shipping season on the
Saginaw River, using data that I have collected over this period.

The 2023 season officially started on March 12th with the arrival of the tug Samuel de
Champlain and cement barge Innovation, delivering a cargo of powdered cement to the
Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville. The season then ended the same way it began, with
a cement delivery to Holcim, this time by the steamer Alpena, arriving January 4th,
2024, during a string of unseasonably warm weather and no ice in sight on the Saginaw
River. The 2023 season on the Saginaw River lasted for a total of 299 days, 34 days
longer than in 2022. The start of the 2023 season was 32 days earlier than in 2022, with
the end of the season two days later than in 2022.

For the 2023 commercial shipping season, there were a grand total of 171 commercial
vessel passages on the Saginaw River, representing a decrease of 21 passages
compared to the 2022 season. These passages were made by 33 different vessels,
three fewer than the previous year, representing 14 different vessel management
companies, also three fewer than last year.

Looking at other numbers from the 2023 season, deliveries were made to a total of 14
individual docking locations along the banks of the Saginaw River. Some of these dock
locations serve more than one product or type of customer. One of these is the Wirt
Dock in Essexville, where in addition to sand and stone cargo, fertilizer is also delivered
and placed in domed storage buildings. The second would be the Port Fisher slip,
where aggregate cargo is delivered for Bay Aggregates, and liquid asphalt is offloaded
for Bit-Mat Products of Michigan and placed in their liquid storage tanks. A third would
be the Port Fisher Terminals Dock, where foreign saltwater vessels can offload various
cargos such as wind turbine components, industrial machinery, or other bulk cargo, and
tug/barge units or tankers can deliver liquid cargo such as calcium chloride or liquid
fertilizer.

With this in mind, there were 16 facilities that received cargo in 2023, one fewer than in
2022 due to the elimination of coal deliveries at Consumers Energy in Essexville. The
individual dock seeing the most vessel traffic in 2023 was the Port Fisher Terminals/Bay
Aggregates Dock in Bay City, with 42 vessel deliveries. This is one less than recorded
during the previous season. The second most deliveries went to the Wirt Stone Dock in
Saginaw with 33, followed by the Wirt Stone Dock in Bay City with 32 deliveries and the
Holcim Cement dock in Essexville with 31 deliveries.

These top docks accounted for 57% of the total commercial vessel deliveries in 2023.
The two largest companies, Fisher Companies and Wirt, each with multiple docks along
the Saginaw River, accounted for a total of 55% of all commercial vessel deliveries. Wirt
Family Docks had a total of 84 deliveries, with Port Fisher docks accounting for 49
deliveries. In all, accounting for split cargos by some vessels, which unloaded at two or
more different docks during the same visit, there were 244 deliveries to the various
docks along the Saginaw River. This is 19 more actual dock deliveries than during the
2022 season. These numbers show that over 70 vessels arrived with split loads,
unloading at more than one dock.

The following table outlines the docks delivered to along with the number of vessels
stopping there:

2023 – Saginaw River Dock Deliveries

Port Fisher/Bay Aggregates Dock – Bay City 42
Wirt Stone Dock – Saginaw 33
Wirt Stone Dock – Bay City 32
Holcim Cement Dock – Essexville 31
GM Dock – Saginaw 23
Saginaw Rock Products/Burroughs Saginaw Dock 20
Wirt Sand and Stone Dock – Essexville 16
Saginaw Asphalt/Buena Vista Dock – Saginaw 15
Burroughs Materials/Levy Dock – Zilwaukee 11
Burroughs North Dock – Essexville 6
Port Fisher/Occidental Chemical Dock – Bay City 5
Wirt Sand & Stone Fertilizer Dock – Essexville 3
U.S. Paving & Stone Materials Dock – Carrollton 3
Sargent Dock – Zilwaukee 2
Port Fisher/Bit-Mat Products Dock – Bay City 1
Port Fisher Terminals Dock – Bay City 1

Total Deliveries 244

This year, I also broke down the number of visits to the lower river docks, or docks
between the mouth of the Saginaw River and Liberty Bridge, of which there are nine,
and the upper river docks, or docks near the Zilwaukee Bridge to the Sixth Street
Turning Basin, of which there were seven. There were a total of 133 deliveries to lower
river docks and a total of 85 deliveries where the vessel had to pass through the Bay
City draw bridges on their way to the upper river to unload at Saginaw-area docks.

The following table outlines this and will be a good comparison for the future;
The tug-barge units were busy on the Saginaw River during 2023, with four of the top
five spots for total number of visits taken by tug-barge combos. Again for 2023, as has
become the norm on the Saginaw River, the Rand Logistics, Inc./Grand River
Navigation tug Olive L. Moore, paired with the self-unloading barge Menominee, once
again defended their title of “Workhorse of the Saginaw River,” making more trips to the
river in 2023 than any other vessel. The pair logged 39 visits this season, one more
than in 2022. Olive L. Moore/Menominee has held this title 17 out of the past 18 years,
logging an incredible 654 visits to the Saginaw River during this tim. In second place
was Interlake Steamship Co.’s tug Dorothy Ann, paired with the self-unloading barge
Pathfinder. which had 15. Rounding out the top five most frequent vessels were
Samuel de Champlain/Innovation with 14 visits, G.L. Ostrander/Integrity with 9, and
Sam Laud, the only non-tug/barge combo in the top five with 8 visits.

The fleet leading the way with the most cargo deliveries to the Saginaw River during the
2023 season was far and away Rand Logistics Inc. Their subsidiaries Lower Lakes
Towing and Grand River Navigation tallied 83 vessel passages, an increase of two
deliveries over 2022 and accounted for almost half of all deliveries in 2023 at 49%. They
have now been leading the way on the Saginaw River for 16 of the past 17 years. The
Interlake Steamship Co./Interlake Logistics Solutions logged the second most visits with
27 trips, a decrease of 10 visits from 2022. Coming in third place was Holcim
Cement/Andrie, Inc. with 23 deliveries to the Saginaw River, up nine trips from the 2022
season. These three companies accounted for 78% of all deliveries on the Saginaw
River in 2023. Rounding out the top five companies were Algoma Central Corp. with 15
visits and Inland Lakes Management with seven.

There were a number of vessels that visited the Saginaw River in 2022 that did not
make a return visit here in 2023. These vessels included local favorite Paul R.
Tregurtha and the tug Leonard M. There were also the following saltwater vessels
which had been here during the 2022 season but not making a return visit: Sloman
Discoverer, Charlie, Sophia, Nunalik, BBC Song, BBC Kwiatkowski, BBC Eagle, Happy
River and Happy Rover.

Vessels back on the river in 2023 which did not have a visit in 2022 were Algoma
Compass, Robert S. Pierson, tug Meredith Ashton, and the saltwater vessel
Minervagracht. The tug Sharon M I was also back, pushing the barge Huron Spirit in
place of Leonard M. There were also a number of first-ever visits in 2023. Interlake
Steamship Co.’s new Mark W. Barker made five trips here, McKeil Marine Ltd.’s recent
acquisition Northern Venture made her first trip here and the Nova-Algoma Cement
Carrier NACC Antigua also had her first trip to the Saginaw River.

Other vessels on the Saginaw River during the 2023 season were the tug Manitou, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife vessel Spencer F. Baird, U.S.E.P.A. vessel Mudpuppy II, and NOAA
vessel 5033. Government vessels included the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spar, U.S,
Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay, and a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey vessel.

Some notable stories from the 2023 season:

• In February 2020, it was announced that Wilkinson Minerals would be opening a
  facility on the Saginaw River, just east of the Independence Bridge in Bay City, and
  begin pumping salt brine from a large deposit known as the Sylvania Sandstone
  Formation. In April 2021, they an-nounced they would be “tripling their investment” of
  $50 million to $150 million in Bay City. Wilkinson Minerals has stated that “the company
  will produce both liquid and dry salt products, with the liquid products primarily shipped
  out on the river.” In the April 2021 report, plans were to have the plant up and running
  late 2023 or early 2024. In 2023, some site clearing was completed, but no other visible
  work is underway and it is unknown when the company will begin operation.
• On June 22nd, the Great Lakes Towing tug North Dakota arrived on the Saginaw
  River to begin her stay, stationed here for the immediate future. Docking at the old
  Lafarge Cement Dock in Carrollton, North Dakota assisted at least eight vessels during
  the 2023 season, including Algoma Buffalo, Iver Bright, Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder, Samuel
  de Champlain/Innovation, NACC Antigua, Algoma Intrepid, and Minervagracht. It is
  unknown how long the North Dakota will remain stationed on the Saginaw River, but the
  word is that it will be as long as there is a need and work for her to do.
• The NACC Antigua was a surprise visitor during the 2023 season, delivering a cargo
  of powdered cement to the Holcim Cement dock in Essexville. Her cargo originated in
  Algeria in North Africa. The demand for cement was up this season and local suppliers
  could not keep up, so in an effort to keep customers happy and have product available
  to them, the NACC Antigua cargo was ordered. The Holcim dock received 31 deliveries
  in 2023, up from 26 last season.
• The self-unloading barge Joseph H. Thompson, pushed by the tug Laura L.
  VanEnkevort made her last-ever visit to the Saginaw River on June 24th, before
  heading to the Marine Recycling Corporation in Port Colborne, ON to be scrapped. The
  Thompson was a frequent visitor to the Saginaw River over the years, pushed by the
  tug Joseph H. Thompson, Jr. and then later the Laura L. Vanenkevort. So long old
  friend.
• Minervagracht was the only saltwater vessel to make a delivery from overseas to the
  Saginaw River in 2023. She called on the Port Fisher Terminals Dock in Bay City on
  November 17th, carrying process equipment for the Hemlock Semiconductor Plant in
  Hemlock, Michigan.
• Interlake Steamship Company’s new vessel, Mark W. Barker, made five visits to the
  Saginaw River in 2023, between May 27th and July 4th. This was the first season in
  operation on the Great Lakes for the Barker. Built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in
  Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, she is the first new laker to be built on the Great Lakes in
  more than 35 years. Mark W. Barker is a very versatile vessel, capable of carrying a
  wide range of cargo to virtually any dock on the Great Lakes.

As the shipping industry continues to evolve, it is the hope that commercial traffic on the
Saginaw River will at least remain stable and hopefully grow as the products and
materials handled here continue to evolve and expand. Hopefully 2024 continues to
expand on the success of the 2023 season and will be a safe and profitable one for
everyone.

Disclaimer: Please know that information contained in this report is 99.9% accurate. I
work extremely hard striving to make this information as accurate as possible, but
please remember, there is always the possibility there may have been a vessel passage
or dock delivery that I missed, as tracking vessels on the Saginaw River for the entire
season is not an easy or an exact science. Thank you for taking the time to read my
year-end report. I hope you find it informative and enjoyable. I will see everyone again
in 2024 for my 20th season of logging commercial vessel movements on the Saginaw
River.

Todd A. Shorkey, Saginaw River Images

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Algoma Central acquires two more product tankers

ST. CATHARINES, ON – Algoma Central Corporation has acquired two 2009 built, 16,600 dwt product tankers from Norway’s Knutsen OAS Shipping.

“We identified an opportunity to secure high-quality ice-class product tankers suitable for trading in Canada and in Northern Europe. These additions will strengthen our capacity to deliver reliable service to our valued customers,” said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma.

The vessels will initially be on bareboat charters back to the sellers. Following completion of their bareboat charters later this year, Algoma plans to begin trading one vessel in the company’s Canadian fleet and one in Europe.

Drone video shows historic lighthouse encased in ice

Footage shot on Monday captures images of the St. Joseph North Pier Outer
Lighthouse that turned into a frozen wonderland. (Courtesy: Nates Dronography via
Storyful)

ST. JOSEPH, MI – Footage shot on Monday captures images of the St. Joseph North
Pier Inner and Outer Lighthouses in southwest Michigan that turned into a frozen
wonderland.

On Sunday, waves from Lake Michigan pummeled the Outer Lighthouse. As the water
on the lighthouse began to freeze, a haunting winter scene began to take shape.

Drone video of this scene shows the Outer Lighthouse coated in frost and jagged ice
formations. A 360-degree shot shows how much of the structure is encased in ice.

View the images here: https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/drone-video-lighthouse-michigan-ice-winter.amp?fbclid=IwAR1K7c_vIqofRMC5boLcpd3s88NBGmcW-g6QBqftZUh-OJaHxD35IPalIW8

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Museum’s Waving Through Time: Flags of the Sweetwater Seas
Nautical Flag Collection Exhibit Expands Online with Part Two

Tuesday, February 16, 2024 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL)
has released the first series in part two of its Waving Through Time: Flags of the Sweetwater
Seas online exhibit. Every two weeks through March 26, the museum will introduce a series of
flags online that have helped recreational sailors to showcase their identity as well as
communicate on the Great Lakes. From yachting association celebratory flags to flags alerting
boaters of weather or distress—their history and significance will be explored.

“The National Museum of the Great Lakes’ extensive collection of navigational symbols and
house flags is steeped in such rich history. These flags represent the demanding travel and
industrious effort that has taken place on the Great Lakes for centuries,” explains Carrie
Sowden, the museum’s Archaeological and Research Director. “Our Sweetwater Seas have
played an essential role in building all that we enjoy on our shores and beyond.”

Part two of the museum’s flag exhibit will be featured exclusively online. More than 95,000
square miles of navigable water has allowed a large marine recreation industry to anchor itself
within our Great Lakes, and its history is captured in these symbols. Centuries of
communication in recreational sailing on the Sweetwater Seas will be showcased for anyone
to explore on the National Museum of the Great Lakes’s website. To access the exhibit,
including part one highlighting commercial flags, visit nmgl.org/wavingthroughtime.

The museum encourages individuals to follow @NMGLToledo on social media and sign-up to
receive emails for new series launch notifications. The click-and-learn interactive Waving
Through Time exhibit is one of many online museum learning opportunities. During the cold
winter months and beyond, online visitors can also take a virtual tour of the museum and its
ships, see the Port of Toledo Then & Now online exhibit, read through back issues of the
award-winning Inland Seas Journal, and even shop the museum’s store. A special Captain
Scupper’s Kids Club section of the website offers fun learning activities for children of all ages.

About the National Museum of the Great Lakes: Founded in 1944, the Great Lakes Historical
Society has been preserving our shared cultural history by publishing a quarterly journal
Inland Seas® since 1945; by operating a maritime museum since 1952; by offering educational
programs to the general public since 1956; by conducting underwater archaeological research
across the Great Lakes since 2001; and by managing the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum

Ship since 2014 and Museum Tug Ohio since 2019. The opening of the National Museum of
the Great Lakes enables the Great Lakes Historical Society to continue its mission to preserve
and make known the important history of the Great Lakes.

WHAT: Waving through Time: Flags of the Sweetwater Seas,

PART – 2 Online Exhibit
WHEN: Part 2 will release new content every 2-weeks through 6 Series:
Series 1: January 16; Series 2: January 30; Series 3: February 13; Series 4:
February 27; Series 5: March 12; Series 6: March 26

WHERE: Online: nmgl.org/wavingthroughtime
ADMISSION: FREE Interactive Online Exhibit
MEDIA CONTACT: Ellen Kennedy; 330.957.0371

ADM expansion turning Windsor-Essex into ‘powerhouse’

Bob Bellacicco
CTV Windsor News Reporter

Published Jan. 11, 2024

Archer Daniels Midlands (ADM) is the recipient of the largest ever federal government investment into the Port of Windsor.

“This is a really important facility in terms of food security, in terms of grain operation, grain management,” said Steve Salmons, president and CEO of Port Windsor.

He was at ADM along with Windsor Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmieczyk for Thursday’s funding announcement.

Kusmierczyk said the federal government is adding another piece to the puzzle along Windsor’s Port by investing $26.3 million toward a $76-million expansion at ADM.

“It’s going to solidify our region as an agricultural and trade powerhouse and Port Windsor, ADM is huge piece of that puzzle,” said Kusmierczyk.

150 employees work at ADM in Windsor. It is one of the world’s largest nutrition companies, serving both people and animals.

“We take soy beans and canola seed and we process them into vegetable oil and livestock feed,” explained Kevin Wright, the company’s GM for the Great Lakes region.

According to Salmon, ADM’s reach is felt every day.
“If you go to McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s you’re eating French fries made in oil from this facility,” he said.
Wright added that the company also handles corn and whole wheat for export to different countries around the world.

“All that grain is coming right here to ADM plus ship loads and ship loads of grain from the prairies. Grain coming from across the Ohio Valley is coming here,” said Salmons who has been in discussions with Wright on developing strategies to help move grain more efficiently.

Wright said this expansion will help the company improve truck loading capacity by introducing a new roadway and kiosk system.

“We’re going add new grain dryers that are going be efficient to allow us to receive grain from the farmer, and dry it and condition it,” he explained.

With increased storage, Wright said ADM will be able to buy more grain from producers in our region and the rest of southwestern Ontario to satisfy demand around the world.

“The producers continue to grow more grain on their land every day, so adding this capacity will allow to keep up with the farmers who are doing a good job of producing more and more grain every day,” Wright said.

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Boatnerds say farewell to last freighter of 2023/2024 shipping season

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Around 9:45 Tuesday morning, the Philip R. Clarke closed out the 2023-
2024 shipping season on the St. Marys River, being the last freighter through the Soo Locks.

The 767 x 70 Clarke was hauling 23,600 gross tons of iron ore to Conneaut, OH then will head
to Toledo for winter lay-up. The Soo Locks will be closed to perform seasonal critical
maintenance and will reopen to freighters at 12:01 a.m. March 25, 2024.

“Every year, the Corps of Engineers uses the non-navigation winter period to perform
maintenance and keep the Soo Locks operating,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit
said. “The Detroit District team works long hours in extreme conditions to complete a
significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period. The work they perform is
unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan winter conditions they work in.”

For the next two months, there will be an occasional tanker that will deliver its load at the
Purvis Dock in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada but they would not utilize the Soo Locks.

With the Clarke being the last freighter through, those people who passionately follow the
vessels for the 10 months the Soo Locks are open, found it to be a touch sentimental. Those
passionate followers of the freighters are called Boatnerds.

One lifelong Boatnerd, Roger LeLievre, was one of a handful of people who followed the Clarke
through the Locks and then downbound at Rotary Park Tuesday morning.

This is what it is all about. I am no armchair Boatnerd. I am freezing out here in one-degree
temperature. I have a lot of pictures of the Philip R. Clarke. I do not need any more. But it is
rather about the hunt and the chase. It gets me out in the fresh air and talk to others who are
into the boats, too. It’s a great way to socialize, LeLievre said. It’s always bittersweet. I love to
see this old classic steamer closing the season. It brings back memories of shipping seasons past
when I was a kid.

LeLievre will still be busy the next couple of months finishing up the popular Know Your Ships
annual publication. It’s kind of the changing of the seasons. It marks the beginning of winter
for me. I am hard at work on the 2025 Know Your Ships book. It gives me more time to work at
my computer because I am not out running around in the cold weather taking pictures,
LeLievre chuckled.

Another Boatnerd, Andrea Guerriero, drove from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to capture the
Clarke. Guerriero has a Facebook page reflecting her passion as a Boatnerd. Our love is so
deep for these ships and we are so passionate about it. I don’t know if it could have been any
better because of the sea smoke, no wind and lovely shots with the light,Guerriero said.

Guerrierro was in constant contact with the captain of the Clarke leading up to the freighter
heading through the Locks Tuesday morning. He is a special guy. He loves his crew so much and
for him, it is all about his crew. He actually mentioned to me that it was special to be with his
crew before they go home, she said. They are happy to see that we love what they do. It
makes them proud of what they do.

The Cozy Corners Tavern and Grill in Barbeau, is located right on the St. Marys River. It is a great
place to watch the freighters downbound heading into Rock Cut. Owner Sara Gordon says she
and her customers will miss the freighters for the next couple of months.

We’re one of the lucky ones that get to have a front-row seat 10 months out of the year and
I’m here to tell you, it never gets old. However, the 10 weeks without them seem like forever,
Gordon said.

But Gordon has plans to keep the customers coming in with various events. We do our best to
create fun things to do in Barbeau’s “dark days” without the freighters. Craft shows, ice fishing
tournaments, kids events, sprint car races, we do our best to take advantage of the shipping
channel becoming dormant and freezing over. All the activities are on our Facebook page, she
explained.

Maxine Anderson lives in Barbeau on the St. Marys River. Living on the river, I am truly blessed
with the beautiful sight of freighters on the Great Lakes for the majority of the year. But as a
true Boatnerd, I understand the importance of the mariners and locks needing their well-
deserved off-season rest. It’s always with much sadness when this last day arrives but I think
most nerds feel that opening day is like Christmas morning as we all eagerly await the presence
of our beloved freighters. It has become like a national holiday in our area, Anderson said.

View the report here: https://www.sooleader.com/local-news/boat-nerds-say-farewell-to-last-
freighter-of-20232024-shipping-season
8122717?fbclid=IwAR12AUBztAowV5vttRgFZJ5K7gBr_UB2BF2P5qtuFMLDNDJX0KpazyRPkK4

OBITUARY: Aerial photographer Donald B. Coles

Donald Coles, age 76, of Auburn Hills, MI, passed away on Jan. 4, 2024. He was born Jan. 1,
1948, in Detroit. He was a millwright by trade but also a private pilot and aerial photographer.

He owned an aerial and legal photography business, enjoyed the adventure of flying and loved
to travel. He often shared his amazing aerial photos of the Great Lakes shipping scene on
boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/ in the days before drones. Services will be private.

 Winter lay-up list is now active

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The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Philip R. Clarke ends 2023-24 Soo Locks season

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The 1952-built steamer Philip R. Clarke, captained by Scott Hein, closed
the 2023-24 Soo Locks season when she passed downbound on a sunny but cold Tuesday
morning bound from Two Harbors, MN, to Conneaut, OH, with taconite pellets. Once unloaded,
she will winter at Toledo.

Boatwatchers at Mission Point were treated to a full salute, complete with cheers from those
on the boat and on the shore. A placard placed at engine room door by the chief engineer Kate
Walheim, proclaimed “If you ain’t first, you’re last!”

She was followed closely by the tug Shirley Ann and barge, headed for Cheboygan, MI, for the
winter. The pair spent the season working on the New Lock project at the Soo.

The Soo Locks will remain closed through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform seasonal critical
maintenance. The Soo Locks’ other operating lock, the MacArthur Lock closed for the
Navigation Season at 7 a.m. on December 17 and will remain closed through April 24, 2024.

Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the feasibility of
vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.

“Every year, the Corps of Engineers uses the non-navigation winter period to perform
maintenance and keep the Soo Locks operating,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit
said. “The Detroit District team works long hours in extreme conditions to complete a
significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period. The work they perform is
unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan winter conditions they work in.”

The team will install a temporary panel bridge across the Poe Lock. This panel bridge will
provide the ability to mobilize materials and equipment to the job sites throughout the winter
closure.

Maintenance crews will complete structural inspections, maintenance and install lifting lugs on
the upstream miter gate. On the downstream miter gates. crews will install anchorage
components and complete critical structural repairs. Major rehabilitation will continue on the
Poe Lock’s upstream and downstream ship arrestor systems.

The miter gates are the large gates serving as dams at each end of the lock chamber, sealing the
chamber and allowing the water level to be raised and lowered in the chamber.

Additionally, crews will perform a wide range of other maintenance tasks from replacement of
pier fender timbers to inspections and preventative maintenance on electrical and mechanical
systems on both Poe and MacArthur Locks.

“With the winter temperatures being more mild than previous years, the Soo Operations team
has been proactively prepping for the non-navigation season,” Soo Locks Operations Manager
LeighAnn Ryckeghem said. “Every year weather poses challenges and adds intensity to
maintenance, the team is highly skilled and equipped to safely execute critical projects that
allow for continued operational reliability during the navigation season,”

Contractors are currently working on the Poe Lock ship arrestor project. OCCI of Missouri, was
awarded the contract in July 2021, for $17.5 million after awarded options. This winter the
company is primarily completing the rehabilitation of the upstream arrestor, installing the new
arrestor machinery and replacing the arrestor boom.
View a video, with a salute, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAM1MaGZUBI

With Soo Locks closed, winter work starts at Fraser

Superior, WI – The Soo Locks closed on Tuesday morning after the Philip R. Clarke made it
through. She was the last downbound vessel, and was carrying iron ore from the Northland.

“We are never eager to see the ships stop moving. But it was a successful season,” shared
Jayson Hron, Director of Marketing and Communication for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

A total of eight vessels will winter in the Twin Ports. Five are still on their way, so boat lovers
can expect a few more arrivals. They’ll all get work at Fraser Shipyards in Superior.

Hron added, “With those eight ships in port for winter layup, that brings lots of work for the
skilled tradespeople throughout the region. About 110 to 140 skilled tradespeople will be
employed doing the work on these eight ships that are wintering here this off season.”

The Lee A. Tregurtha and Manitoulin are at Fraser now. Baie Comeau is at the Clure Public
Marine Terminal.

WDIO

Coast Guard closing West Neebish Channel, Pipe Island Passage

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — Following the closure of the Soo Locks, Per 33 CFR 162.117,
Director VTS St Marys River will close the West Neebish Channel effective 1400 local time
January 19. Alternating one-way traffic will be established in the Munuscong and Middle
Neebish Channels. The Coast Guard would like to remind all recreational ice users to plan their
activity carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay away from shipping channels.

In addition, in accordance with 33 CFR 162.117, Vessel Traffic Service St. Marys River will close
Pipe Island Passage (East of Pipe Island Shoal and North of Pipe Island Twins from Watson Reef
Light to Sweets Point). The channel will close effective 1400 EST January 19. The Pipe Island
Course will become alternating one-way traffic.

USCG

 Winter lay-up list is now active

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Two vessels vie for last ship at the Soo Locks

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The Soo Locks will close today with either American Spirit upbound or
Philip R. Clarke. Watch this page for updates. Edwin H. Gott and Great Republic were
downbound on a cold but sunny Monday. Still anchored above the locks waiting for weatherMonday were Arthur M. Anderson, John G. Munson and Paul R. Tregurtha. John J. Boland was
at Algoma Steel. Once they are able to proceed, they will head for Duluth/Superior to lay up for
the winter. Indiana Harbor was hugging the Michigan shore downbound Monday evening and
will be the next-to-last downbounder.

 Winter lay-up list is now active

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The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Soo traffic slows to a trickle; locks close today

Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Traffic at the Soo on Sunday consisted of John J. Munson upbound and
Walter J. McCarthy Jr. downbound. The Munson went to anchor above the locks for weather,
joining fleetmate Arthur M. Anderson. At 10 p.m. Sunday, Edgar B. Speer, H. Lee White,
Victory/Maumee, Great Republic and Kaye E. Barker were all headed for the locks downbound.

In addition, Edwin H Gott was downbound off the Keweenaw Peninsula, while Indiana Harbor,
followed by Philip R. Clarke, were also headed for the Soo off Lake Superior. The Clarke may be
the vessel that closes the locks downbound for the season. John J. Boland remained moored at
Algoma Steel for weather. Paul R. Tregurtha was in the Straits headed for Duluth, followed by
American Spirit, which will likely be the last upbound.

 Winter lay-up list is now active

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The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

A massive winter storm has stopped
most Great Lakes vessel traffic

10 a.m. SATURDAY UPDATE: Some vessels were on the move Saturday morning as it appeared the worst of the storm had passed.

ORIGINAL REPORT: With high winds Friday night and into Saturday, most Great Lakes vessels prudently headed to anchor or remained in port. Forecasters say northeast winds will blow 30 to 40 knots with gusts
up to 55 knots with waves 18 to 23 feet expected.

NWS meteorologists issued a Storm Warning for Lake Superior beginning 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan.
11, until 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 as the looming storm – expected to rapidly intensify into a
dangerous blizzard – moves in over the weekend.

Heeding the warnings, Edgar B. Speer, Great Republic and H. Lee White were moored at Duluth.
Philip R. Clarke and Walter J. McCarthy Jr. were at Two Harbors, with Indiana Harbor hugging
the shoreline headed there. John J. Boland was in Thunder Bay. Kaye E. Barker snuggled up
close to the shore in the lee of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Edwin H. Gott was stopped behind the
Apostle Islands.

The lower St. Marys River above DeTour hosted Harvest Spirit, James R. Barker, Herbert C.
Jackson, American Integrity, Lee A. Tregurtha and Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader Friday night.
Olive L. Moore/Menominee, Samuel De Champlain/Innovation, Stewart J. Cort and Burns
Harbor were anchored off Brevort, MI. Arthur M. Anderson pulled into the bay off Petoskey,
MI.

Algoma Intrepid, Defiance/Ashtabula and American Mariner were stopped above Port
Huron/Sarnia. On the hook off Sandusky/Huron, OH, were Algoma Niagara, Mark W. Barker,
American Century, Hon. James L. Oberstar and Manitowoc.

The National Weather Service said Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake St. Clair and
down into Lake Erie will be roiling with dangerous waves and winds that have the potential to
overturn ships and could even lead to lakeshore flooding.

Experts sent an urgent warning for sailors to remain at port or secure their vessel for severe
conditions as the storm moves through.

More dangerous is a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning also in effect for central, eastern and
western Lake Superior the same timeframe that will see freezing spray at a rate of 2 cm per
hour or greater expected and may rapidly accumulate on vessels.

Operating a vessel in heavy freezing spray is hazardous, the NWS cautioned. Freezing spray
may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks
and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability. Very strong winds will cause
hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.

The northern waters of Lake Huron from 5 NM east of Mackinac Bridge to Presque Isle Lt
beyond 5 NM off shore and from Presque Isle Light to Sturgeon Point beyond 5 NM off shore
under a Storm Warning that remains in effect from Friday morning until Saturday evening with
forecasted sustained winds up to 44 knots from the northeast with gusts up to 50 knots.

The National Weather Service said Lake Superior, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake St. Clair and
down into Lake Erie will be roiling with dangerous waves and winds that have the potential to
overturn ships and could even lead to lakeshore flooding.

The northern waters of Lake Huron from 5 NM east of Mackinac Bridge to Presque Isle Lt
beyond 5 NM off shore and from Presque Isle Light to Sturgeon Point beyond 5 NM off shore
under a Storm Warning that remains in effect from Friday morning until Saturday evening with
forecasted sustained winds up to 44 knots from the northeast with gusts up to 50 knots.

The largest significant waves will be 20 feet with a potential maximum wave height of 29 feet
expected around midnight on Saturday.

Southern Lake Huron – from Outer Saginaw Bay SW of Alabaster to Port Austin MI to Inner
Saginaw Bay to include Port Austin, Harbor Beach, Port Sanilac, Port Huron – is all under a Gale
Warning. Forecasters say hazardous conditions will include sustained winds up to 35 knots from
the southwest with gusts up to 46 knots. The largest significant waves will be 14 feet with a
potential maximum wave height of 20 feet expected around 9 p.m. Friday.

On the west side, the northern half of Lake Michigan, north of a line from Two Rivers, WI, to
Manistee, MI, is under a Gale Warning which is expected to upgrade to a Storm Warning from
Friday morning into Saturday morning.

For the first Gale Warning, east winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and waves 6 to 9 feet
expected, the NWS said. For the Storm Warning, northeast winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to
50 kt and waves 12 to 17 ft expected. For the second Gale Warning, north to northwest winds
25 to 35 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and waves 11 to 16 ft expected.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said waves will be so impressive,
they could lead to lakeshore flooding along Lake Michigan's southern shores, to include Benton
Harbor, St. Joseph, Lakeside, New Buffalo and more.

On Lake Erie, mariners from the Islands to Conneaut, Ohio can expect southwest winds
between 40 to 50 knots with gusts up to 60 knots and waves 13 to 18 feet possible with a Gale
Watch in effect from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning.

Southeast winds Friday evening become southwest Friday night, the NWS said of conditions
of Lake Erie. The strongest winds are expected on Saturday. Abnormally low water levels are
possible in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Strong southwesterly winds will cause water levels to quickly drop across the western basin of
Lake Erie, the NWS said. The critical mark for safe navigation at Toledo is 6 inches above low
water datum. The current projection is for water levels to fall 2 to 4 feet below the critical
mark.

Mariners were urged to navigate shallow waters with extreme caution.

WWJ, Boatnerd reports

In St. Joughnuts, dockside doughnut
deliveries welcome freighters

This story is part of Mornings in Michigan, our series about morning rituals from across our
state.

Another Great Lakes shipping season comes to an end on Monday when the Soo Locks close for
annual maintenance. Massive freight ships are icons of the Great Lakes and they're woven into
the identities of Great Lakes port towns.

In one town on Lake Michigan, folks show their appreciation by greeting almost every big ship
and crew that comes to harbor with a sweet treat, free of charge.

That’s how St. Joseph, Michigan has earned the nickname St. Joughnuts by sailors in the know.

The first thing you need to know about St. Joseph is it’s a boat-watching haven. It’s located on
the shoreline of Lake Michigan south of Muskegon. The St. Joseph River runs between St.
Joseph and neighboring Benton Harbor near downtown. When freighters hundreds of feet long
and dozens of feet tall come through, it’s a tight fit, so the views are great.

“One thing I like about our port is just how small, and I would say, intimate it is,” said St. Joseph
harbormaster Mike Moran. “You’re up close to the freighters. No matter where they’re at,
you’re up close and can see them very easily.”

On April 2, 2021, Moran started a new tradition. When a big boat comes to town, he hand-
delivers fresh, free doughnuts to the crew.

Read more and view photos here: https://www.michiganpublic.org/community/2024-01-
12/mornings-in-michigan-in-st-joughnuts-dockside-doughnut-deliveries-welcome-
freighters?fbclid=IwAR1Y7pI52IWB8U35PgrlH1xICKFcuW4_j-DvBLlpJnqxs2JcpQjWxt74F_o

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance.

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to all marine
traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15, or until commercial traffic ceases, through 12:01 a.m.
March 25 to perform seasonal critical maintenance.

Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the feasibility of
vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.

“Every year, the Corps of Engineers uses the non-navigation winter period to perform
maintenance and keep the Soo Locks operating,” Maintenance Branch Chief Nicholas Pettit
said. “The Detroit District team works long hours in extreme conditions to complete a
significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period. The work they perform is
unique, especially given the harsh northern Michigan winter conditions they work in.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Seaway’s last vessels for the season

MONTREAL, QC – Jan. 5 marked the closing of the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the
binational St. Lawrence Seaway. The tanker Mia Desgagnes was the last downbound vessel to
transit the U.S. Locks for the 2023 shipping season. The vessel was transporting petroleum
products from Sarnia to Montreal.

The bulk carrier Algoma Conveyor was the last upbound vessel to transit the U.S. locks for the
2023 navigation season. The vessel was in ballast transiting from Quebec to Port Colborne, ON.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation

 Winter lay-up list is now active

You can monitor our annual lay-up listing page here: https://www.boatnerd.com/winter-lay-up-list-2023-2024/

The page will be updated throughout the winter. Please send lay-up reports to news@boatnerd.net.