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

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Coast Guard begins Operation Taconite icebreaking operations

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI — U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes commenced Operation
Taconite on Wednesday to prevent newly-formed ice from hindering commercial traffic.

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 ice breakers.

Operation Taconite is the Coast Guard’s largest domestic icebreaking operation. The operation
encompasses Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, the St. Marys River, the Straits of Mackinac, and
Georgian Bay. 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 during 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
vessels transiting the area of operation. 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. The Coast Guard recommends all recreational
ice users plan their activities carefully, use caution on the ice, and stay clear from shipping
channels.

USCG

NEWS 11

Trade organizations stop selling American Queen Voyages over service issues

Several trade organizations – including Signature Travel Network, Pleasant Holidays and AAA
Travel – have stopped selling American Queen Voyages trips because of service issues, reports
Travel Weekly. In addition, Virtuoso has taken the U.S. cruise line off its preferred supplier list.

American Queen Voyages declined to comment for Travel Weekly’s story. American Queen has
operated two vessels on the Great Lakes the last several summers but announced last year it
was exiting the market, with the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager now for sale.

The issues range from late commissions to problems with customer service and refunds,
according to Travel Weekly. Travel advisors told the publication their clients also dealt with
poor communication, late-issued travel documents and pre-cruise package mishandling,
including a last-minute pre-stay cancellation with no notice.

Trade organizations trace the issues back to “recent sales support and leadership changes” at
American Queen Voyages, according to a Jan. 3 statement to travel advisors from Julie Howard,
Signature’s vice president of cruise partnerships, as reported by Travel Weekly.

However, many clients also reported having positive onboard experiences during their cruises.

The trade organizations said they would consider resuming their partnerships with American
Queen Voyages, once the cruise line resolves the problems.

We stopped selling American Queen Voyages in November 2023 and have not resumed sales
to date due to service issues, said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, to Travel
Weekly. If outstanding service issues can be resolved, we will consider resuming sales.

American Queen Voyages provides domestic cruises on the Mississippi, Illinois, Columbia,
Snake, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers aboard its four river cruise ships. In addition, it offers
expedition cruises in Alaska and British Columbia, as well as Mexico and Costa Rica, aboard its
one expedition ship, the Ocean Victory.

The cruise line resulted from the September 2021 merger of American Queen Steamboat
Company and Victory Cruise lines by parent company Hornblower Group. This summer, the
company sold its two coastal ships, Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager, and announced it
would not return to the Great Lakes, where it had previously offered cruises.

Travel Pulse

Oats, cement, and modular housing notable shipping
season highlights for Duluth Seaway Port Authority

Duluth, MN – It has been a notable shipping season at the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.
With less than a week remaining until intra-lake shipping on the Great Lakes ends with the
closure of the Soo Locks on Jan. 15, the port authority has numerous achievements to celebrate
this season.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority experienced the longest international traffic season in the
port’s history, for a total of 277 days. The earliest oceangoing arrival in port history – the
Federal Dart, carrying cement, arrived on Mar. 28, 2023, and the Nordika Desgagnes, carrying
beet pulp pellets bound for Ireland, departed on Dec. 29, 2023.

In addition, total maritime tonnage is 4 percent ahead of the 2022-23 shipping season and
within 1 percent of the five-year average.

As of Nov. 2023, iron ore, the leading commodity traveling through the Duluth port, was
tracking 13.5 percent ahead of last year’s pace and 11.5 percent ahead of the five-year average.

The port of Duluth-Superior transports approximately 20 million tons of iron ore each shipping
season.
“It’s been a good season so far through Nov. 30, 2023,” said Jayson Hron, the director of
communication and marketing for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “We’re still in the midst of
it, hoping for a fantastic finish to the season.”

Each year, on average, the Duluth port reaches a benchmark of approximately 30-35 million
short tons. Given the shipping season so far, Hron said, “I would say it’s very likely that the total
tonnage will either reach or surpass that total this season.”

Grain, generally durum and spring wheat, is another leading commodity moving through the
port each season. However, a new grain made an interesting appearance during the 2023-24
shipping season, Hron said.
“I wouldn’t want to say it’s like unprecedented, but we haven’t had a lot of oats moving
through the Port of Duluth-Superior in the last 10 to 15 years,” he said. “It was fun to see that
type of grain come back on the docket if you will.”

Hron said factors such as the strength of the U.S. dollar and the price of grain on the global
scale significantly influence grain and other commodities moving through the port. “It’s been a
tough couple of years for grain through this port. But this year, we’ve seen a bit of an uptick,”
he said.

As of Nov. 30, grain was up 3 percent from the previous shipping season. “Hopefully, a
harbinger of good things for the future on the grain front,” Hron said.

While a wide variety of commodities and cargo move through the port, in addition to oats, Hron
said there have been a few other interesting noticeable trends during the season.

The port authority experienced an increase in cement and modular housing. While some of the
cement will remain in the Midwest for infrastructure projects, a portion entering the port was
distributed into Alberta, Canada, for infrastructure projects. “So cement obviously has been a
big mover this year,” Hron said.

Modular housing arrived at the port this season to be transported to Quebec, Canada, where it
was then transported onto another ship that was brought to the Canadian Arctic. “So definitely
touching a large part of North America and the world as a whole with our import and export
activities through this port,” said Horn.

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Jayson Hron, the director of Communication and Marketing at
the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, to reflect on the highlights of the 2023-24 shipping season.

Audio from the interview is below.

Read more and listen to an audio version of this story here: https://wtip.org/oats-cement-and-modular-housing-notable-shipping-season-highlights-for-duluth-seaway-port-authority/?fbclid=IwAR31mt1KpFxlPTrScNNPqaEMHKgnQFQipcw1y68eu-gFy0tN9kdQRix-VEI

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Stormy weather slows traffic at the Soo

High winds and show sent several vessels to anchor Tuesday evening on the St. Marys River. At 9 p.m., Lee A. Tregurtha, Algoma Niagara, Mesabi Miner. Paul R. Tregurtha, Ashtabula/Defiance and Arthur M. Anderson were anchored in Potaganissing Bay above DeTour. John G. Munson was expected to join them later.

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Algoma Transport arrives at Marine Recycling Corp.

Algoma Transport arrived at her final port on Tuesday. She tied up at Marine Recycling Corp.,
Port Colborne, ON, where she will be scrapped. She tied up near the Tecumseh, which is
already being cut up.

NEWS 10

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Algoma Transport Update

After leaving Hamilton, ON, the Algoma Transport anchored off Port Weller Saturday morning
waiting out strong winds. They went to anchor behind Long Point in Lake Erie to wait for their
berth in Port Colborne to free up.

Janey Anderson, Ship Junkies – Lakes, Locks & Rivers

Barker horn marks Cleveland Browns’ scores

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1549678272515993

Former Great Lakes passenger
vessels on market for $20 million each

Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager, two small passenger vessels that have been familiar sights
on the Great Lakes the last few seasons, have been put up for sale by American Queen Voyages,
which announced in 2023 they would be exiting the Great Lakes market. Asking price is $
19,995,500 USD each.

https://www.yachtbroker.org/yacht-details?id=83016&vessel=2807133&title=300-ft-American-
Marine-2004-Ocean-Navigator-Mackinac-Island-Michigan-United-States-$19995500

https://www.yachtbroker.org/yacht-details?id=83016&vessel=2807122&title=300-ft-American-
Marine-2001-Ocean-Voyager-Mackinac-Island-Michigan-United-States-$19995500

NEWS7

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S.S. Badger ramp repairs well underway after damage ends 2023 season

LUDINGTON, MI – The “post-holiday blues” aren’t dampening spirits at the S.S. Badger – the
ship is well on its way to being ready for the 2024 season, officials said. The Lake Michigan car
ferry’s 2023 season ended abruptly when its ramp became non-operational in July.

As of Nov. 1, work had begun on the ramp’s port side counterweight system, which had failed
on July 21 resulting in the end of the historic ferry’s 70th season.

Officials announced Wednesday that the ramps’ starboard tower and counterweight system
had been fully dismantled. Workers with King Construction are now driving the piling for the
new apron system.

Neither the ramp itself nor the ship sustained damage during the July 21 incident.

Read more at this M Live link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/01/ss-badger-ramp-repairs-
well-underway-after-damage-ends-2023-season.html

NEWS 6

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Gold-headed cane awarded to first vessel to enter Port of Montreal

MONTREAL, QC – The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has welcomed the first ocean-going
vessel of the year to reach the city’s port with its annual gold-headed cane ceremony.

The event celebrates the first ship to cross the Port of Montreal’s downstream limit at Sorel
without a stopover. This year, the prize was given to the Helena G and its master Eduard
Voshchuk.

The ship sailed from Bulgaria’s Port of Burgas on Dec. 12, 2023 and arrived in Montreal on Jan.2, 2024 at 7:17 a.m. The Helena G, flying the flag of Portugal, was carrying gold and pyrite and
ended its journey at the Port of Montreal’s berth 43, operated by Logistec.

It was a great pleasure for us to present this year’s gold-headed cane to Captain Voshchuk,
master of the first ship to cross the limits of the Port of Montreal’s waters this year, said MPA
Interim President and CEO Geneviève Deschamps. Carrying gold to the Port of Montreal, some
would say that the Helena G was predestined to receive this prestigious honour.

Captain Voshchuk, who is of Ukrainian origin and began sailing at the age of 18, received the
gold-headed cane for the first time. He comes from a family of sailors and says sailing allows
him to visit different countries and interact with their people. This is his second visit to
Montreal.

Deschamps welcomed the captain with bread and salt, a tradition from Montreal’s Ukrainian
community. This reminds us of the resilience of the Ukrainian community, which, despite the
war, contributes to the smooth running of the international maritime industry, said
Deschamps.

The gold-headed cane is inscribed with the name of the winning captain and the ship’s name.

This year marks the 185th anniversary of the ceremony, a tradition that the MPA boasts
commemorates Montreal’s rich maritime heritage. The Helena G is expected to set sail in a few
days for Quebec City.

CTV News

Duluth shipping season ends on a warm note

DULUTH, MN – While the warm weather may be a bad for many Northland businesses, our port
is benefitting. This year’s shipping season is going to end on a much warmer note. The season
began in March and will end on January 5th.

Jayson Hron, The Director of Communication and Marketing at the Duluth Seaway Port
Authority, says the mild temperatures and lack of ice make the end of the season much
smoother. “It’s been a good season,” said Hron. “This is definitely a record-breaking year in
terms of the latest ocean departure and also the earliest ocean arrival.”

More than 650 ships have moved through the Port of Duluth-Superior this season.
“The only impact from the warm weather has been a lack of ice,” said Hron. “Which means that
the ships are able to sail at full speed, unimpeded by the ice.”

Due to the warm weather, Hron says they’ve decided to make a few last-minute changes.
“Seaway management decided in November to announce that it would have its latest closure
date in history this year,” said Hron.

The ships will also be able to travel through the Soo Locks at a much faster speed. “To have this
extension to the shipping season and to keep the ships moving,” said Hron. “Not only the
Lakers, which we commonly see move through the middle of January, but the Salties as well.”

As the season comes to an end, Hron is grateful to end on such a high note. “This is definitely a
record-breaking year in terms of the latest ocean departure and also the earliest ocean arrival,”
said Hron.

Northern News Now

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Great Lakes start 2024 with smallest amount of ice in at least 50 years

The Great Lakes had the smallest amount of ice cover this New Year’s Day in at least the past 50
years and are on track to see less than the seasonal average this winter, according to
government data. The decline comes during a five-decade drop in ice cover that experts say is
due in part to human-caused climate change.

“It’s an extreme number,” said James Kessler, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL). “That
said, it is early in the season, and there is year-to-year variability. But on average we are seeing
less ice cover and shorter seasons.”

On the first of the year, only 0.35 percent of the Great Lakes was under ice, below the roughly 9
percent that it usually averages at this point in the winter, according to data from GLERL. On
New Year’s Day 2023, more than 4 percent of the Great Lakes was covered in ice, while 2.35
percent was covered in ice on Jan. 1, 2022.

Kessler cautioned that while Monday’s low is remarkable, one-day lows are not as statistically
significant as month-long lows. He added that maximum ice cover, or the point in the winter
with the highest percentage of the Great Lakes with ice coverage, usually occurs in February
and March, and that January is early in the season. (In 2023, the Great Lakes’ ice cover hit a
record mid-February low.)

Still, the drops are expected to continue as the earth keeps warming, with implications across
industries and environments.

Robust ice cover protects lake shorelines from high waves that can bring severe flooding and
damage the coastline, according to Kessler. Some microorganisms use the ice as a safe haven to
spawn and lay eggs. A lack of ice coverage can lead to more severe snow storms because an
unfrozen lake is a prerequisite for “lake effect” snow.

NEWS4

Heddle Shipyards has a new name.

HAMILTON, ON –Heddle Shipyards has been rebranded Ontario Shipyards. The name change
took place Jan. 1.

“The province of Ontario was once the epicenter of shipbuilding in Canada, with more than
eighty commercial and government vessels built at the Port Weller Dry Docks and many more
at the historic Thunder Bay Shipyard,” according to a press release. “The transition to Ontario
Shipyards is both a signal and a commitment that we will harness the capacity of Ontario’s
shipyards and the industrial capabilities of the province to become the most reliable provider of
ship repair and shipbuilding services in Canada so that our country has the vessels and skilled
labor force it needs to be a maritime nation.”

“The name Ontario Shipyards embraces Ontario’s shipbuilding legacy and articulates a vision to
complete the revitalization of shipyards in Ontario so that the province can once again become
a global leader in ship repair and shipbuilding services. We will do so by modernizing and
revolutionizing shipyard operations and building a highly skilled and motivated workforce,” the
press release continued.

“In the coming years, additional capacity will be needed to support the Canadian government’s
National Shipbuilding Strategy. Ontario Shipyards stands ready to provide that capacity.”
Ontario Shipyards

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Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Up 20.7 Percent in 2023

CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.8 million tons in December, an increase of 19.8 percent compared to a year ago.  Shipments were just slightly above the 5-year average for the month.

The year-end total for the iron ore trade stands at 51.1 million tons, an increase of 20.7 percent compared to 2022.

Compared to the trade’s 5-year average, 2023 iron ore loadings were up 4.5 percent.

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.
More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

Information based on data from knowledgeable sources.  However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.  Lake Carriers’ Association assumes no legal responsibility for the outcome of decisions or commitments made on the basis of this information.  Report represents the views of Lake Carriers’ Association and may not necessarily represent the views of its individual members.

Great Lakes Limestone Trade Down Slightly in 2023

CLEVELAND — Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 28.6 million tons in 2023, a decrease of less than one percent compared to 2022.  2023’s loadings were below the trade’s 5-year average by 1.1 percent.

Loadings from U.S. quarries increased less than one percent from the prior year to 23.1 million tons.  However, shipments from U.S. quarries were below their 5-year average by less than one percent.

Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 5.5 million tons, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to 2022 and 1.8 percent below the 5-year average.

GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: DECEMBER 2018-2023 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)

YEAR-TO-DATE 2018-2023 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)

U.S. ports: Calcite, MI; Cedarville, MI; Drummond Island, MI; Marblehead, OH; Port Inland, MI; and Presque Isle, MI.  Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne (from August 2017 on), and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).

About Lake Carriers’ Association

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

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Latest closing date in history of St. Lawrence Seaway

The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced its latest closing date since the vital North American
waterway was founded in 1959 – notably to compensate for the impact of an eight-day strike in
October by Canadian workers that prevented more than 100 vessels from transiting the system.

“Weather permitting, our projected closing dates for the Montreal-Lake Ontario section is
January 5, 2024 and the Welland Canal section is January 7, 2024,” said Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice
President External Relations, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“The navigation season has been extended by five days to help offset the impacts of the traffic
interruption on the economy,” Mr. Aubry-Morin told Maritime Magazine. He suggested that
the decision was also facilitated in part by climate change developments.

The longer season will allow particularly Canadian and foreign-flag carriers transporting wheat,
iron ore, steel and general cargo to potentially add at least one extra trip to their sailing
schedules through the maritime corridor of 15 locks (13 Canadian and 2 Canadian) linking the
Atlantic Ocean to the industrial heartland of North America.

“The only time we closed on Jan 11 was when a vessel was stuck in a U.S. lock in 2017,” Mr.
Aubry-Morin said, adding: “We are really opening the door for the recovery of what was lost in
time!”

Maritime Magazine

Manitowoc Experiences Bow Thruster Problem

At approximately 1619 Eastern Standard Time Sunday, the 630’ freighter Manitowoc was
inbound St. Joseph Harbor, MI, when she developed an issue with the bow thruster. The bow
thruster is a propeller sideways in the bow or front of the vessel to allow for easier
maneuvering in close quarters.

The freighter did make contact against the protective wooden fendering surrounding the CSX
Railroad Bridge. The bridge itself was not impacted.

Manitowoc was able to resolve the thruster issue and proceed inbound to Dock 63 to unload
her cargo of approximately 15,300 tons of gravel. No injuries or damage were reported to the
vessel and no pollution was discharged into the water.

CSX Railroad reported that their bridge mechanic conducted an inspection of the bridge with no
damage to the bridge itself and minor scrapes to the protective wooden fendering. The Coast
Guard and the Harbormaster were notified appropriately during this incident.

Manitowoc will be performing maintenance and inspection on the thruster.
The vessel will also test operation of the thruster prior to departing the harbor once their cargo is unloaded.

Mike Moran Harbormaster, City of St. Joseph, MI

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