Cleveland-Cliffs to restart Northshore Mining in April

It’s the news that Northshore Mining has been waiting to hear. Cleveland-Cliffs has told area lawmakers that they plan on restarting the mine in Babbitt and the plant in Silver Bay in early April.

The operation has been idle since last May, putting over 450 people on layoff.

The mayor of Silver Bay, Wade LeBlanc, said they couldn’t ask for better news.

“I’m encouraged that Cleveland-Cliffs is beginning the process to reopen their facilities in Babbitt and Silver Bay,” said Sen. Hauschild. “In recent months, I’ve held several meetings with Cleveland-Cliffs to discuss the importance of reopening these plants as soon as possible. These mines and jobs are critical to our regional economy. I heard from numerous miners who were impacted by this closure who said they wanted to get back to work. While we were able to get them a bridge in unemployment insurance benefits until April with my recent bill, my primary goal has always been to reopen these two plants. I’m glad to say that we’re one step closer to making that happen.”

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a bill authored by Sens. Grant Hauschild, Jen McEwen, Rob Farnsworth, Justin Eichorn, and Kari Dziedzic and Reps. Dave Lislegard, Roger Skraba, and Spencer Igo which extended unemployment insurance benefits for miners who had been laid off. Reps. Dan Wolgamott, Emma Greenman, Cedrick Frazier, Jeff Brand, Ben Davis, Brad Tabke, and Melissa Hortman also signed on.

Sen. Hauschild said this bill went a long way in helping those workers, but he stayed focused on the ultimate goal of supporting Cleveland-Cliffs’ efforts to reopen their mining operations.

– WDIO (February 20, 2023)

Furetank and Algoma Central Corporation extend joint venture through tanker acquisition with Larsson Shipping

The Furetank/Algoma joint venture FureBear, together with Larsson Shipping, takes over the ownership of Algoma’s product tanker Algonorth. It has arrived from Canada to trade in Northern Europe under the new name Fure Skagen.

– We are strengthening our collaboration with Algoma, with a high standard vessel of its generation. The addition of Fure Skagen will improve the services we can offer our customers and give us a well-timed overlap while waiting for the new Vinga series vessels to arrive from the shipyard in China in the coming years, says Lars Höglund, CEO of Furetank.

Fure Skagen is a 16,958 dwt double hull product oil tanker built in 2008. Her twelve epoxy coated cargo tank capacity is 19,594 cubic metres. Her ice class and super strip system makes her well designed for the intense Northern European trade.

– This is another example of how great partnerships lead to further collaborations that optimize organizational strength and enable us to deploy assets to the best and highest use for our customers. We look forward to having Fure Skagen joined by eight newbuilds, to be owned by FureBear, with the first vessel expected to be delivered later this year, says Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma Central Corporation.

Furetank’s customers have previous experience with Fure Skagen, as Algoma acquired the vessel from Furetank’s Gothia Tanker Alliance partner Rederi AB Älvtank in 2018.

Fure Skagen will be flying the Faroe Island flag and is owned by FureBear and Larsson Shipping. She will be commercially managed by Furetank Chartering in the Gothia Tanker Alliance.

– Furetank (February 20, 2023)

The CSL Group and Algoma Central Corporation order a new generation of Kamsarmax-based ocean belt self-unloading ships

The CSL Group and Algoma Central Corporation, who together form the CSL International Pool, today announced a newbuild order with Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., to construct four new methanol-ready Kamsarmax-based ocean belt self-unloading vessels. These new ships will replace the Pool’s oldest vessels and become the model for its next generation of ocean self-unloaders.
Two of the four jointly designed, 72,250 DWT newbuild ships have been ordered by Algoma and the two others by CSL. The commercial partners have an option to build an additional two vessels.

“We are reinvesting with confidence in a business segment that has performed well for us for many years, alongside our long-term partner, and with YAMIC, a shipyard having a proven track record for quality construction and on-time delivery of these specialized assets,” said Gregg Ruhl, President and CEO of Algoma. “The teams at Algoma and CSL combined their decades of experience in this space to design the optimum ship for the Pool trades, while simultaneously taking yet another leap forward in reducing our carbon footprint.”

In line with Algoma and CSL’s decarbonization efforts, the new ship design exceeds EEDI Level III requirements and includes Tier 3 engines. The vessels are expected to be 40% more efficient than the ships they will replace owing to a combination of fuel efficiency and optimized cargo lift.

“This joint order represents our long-term commitment to serving our customers safely and sustainably with our ocean-going Pool of ships,” said Louis Martel, President and CEO of CSL. “Designed with efficiency and versatility in mind, these new vessels will have the advantage of being interchangeable and able to adapt to any trade and operating condition.”

The new vessel order will replace the three oldest ships in the Pool and see its fleet size increase to 19. The first vessel delivery is scheduled for July 2025, beginning with an Algoma ship. The subsequent deliveries are expected every three months.

New Vessel Highlights

• Designed based on fourth generation Kamsarmax hull form with a cargo capacity of 72,250 metric tonnes
• Equipped with methanol-ready engines
• Exceeds EEDI Level III requirements and includes Tier 3 engines
• Capable of unloading at a rate of 5,000 MT per hour

– The CSL Group (February 17, 2023)

A look at the design of the newest self-unloading ocean bulk carriers joining the CSL International Pool. The CSL Group image, February 17

Tallest lighthouse on Great Lakes to offer overnight stays this summer

EMMET COUNTY, MICH. — White Shoal Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes, will be welcoming overnight guests for multi-day stays beginning later this year.

Organizers from White Shoal Lighthouse Preservation Society said bookings for the candy-striped lighthouse’s overnight adventures will open March 1 for a short season, running mid-July through mid-August for lighthouse volunteers and mid-August through mid-September for the general public.

White Shoal is perched in the waters of the Mackinac Straits some 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. As one of a handful of historic Great Lakes “crib” lighthouses, which sit offshore on reefs or shoals, the lighthouse offers a rare travel opportunity for lighthouse lovers and adventure seekers alike.

This summer will mark the return of the lighthouse’s overnight guest programming, which had only just launched in 2019 but was suspended the past two years due to the pandemic.

“I think we’re ready to get our feet wet again,” said lighthouse co-owner Brent Tompkins.

All of the proceeds from the overnight stays will go toward a long list of restoration projects, Tompkins said. Current top-priority projects include repainting the light’s iconic red and white stripes, and eventually adding solar technology to reduce reliance on generators for the lighthouse’s electricty.

An escape to White Shoal isn’t necessarily for everyone: For starters, guests must be prepared to climb a ladder to reach the lighthouse from its concrete base, and Tompkins urges people to have some schedule flexibility in case incliment weather unexpectedly extends their stay by a night or longer.

But for those who can brave the isolation, the rewards include unrivaled sunrises and sunsets, breathtaking stargazing, the potential to experience a storm from inside an off-shore lighthouse, and much more.

Stays will be sold in three-night packages with accommodations for up to five guests across two queen rooms and one single room, Tompkins said. Transportation to and from the lighthouse is included, and will feature a ride under the Mackinac Bridge and a close look at the neighboring historic Waugoshance Lighthouse.

Further updates and booking announcements will be posted in the coming weeks on preservewhiteshoal.org and facebook.com/whiteshoallight.

– MLive (February 17, 2023)

The remote White Shoal Lighthouse sits 20 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge. Photic.Zone image, n.d.

Great Lakes iron ore trade a near match to January 2022

CLEVELAND — Iron ore shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 2.5 million tons in January, a near match to 2022. Loadings were above the month’s 5-year average by 21.3 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.

Great Lakes Iron Ore Shipments: January 2018-2023 and 5-Year Average (net tons)

*Marquette = Presque Isle in previous reports

**Transhipments within Cleveland Harbor

Includes transshipments to Quebec City for shipment overseas

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.

– Lake Carriers’ Association (February 16, 2023)

Signs of action on Black River

LORAIN — After 20 years in the Black River, a ferry docked under the Henderson Bridge may be moved.

The Upper Canada, a defunct ferry moored on the city’s east side, has seen little action since it came to Lorain. But earlier this week, a crane was seen working on the ferry.

The U.S. Coast Guard was made aware of the abandoned vessel in early January, said Petty Officer Gregory Shell, public affairs specialist for the Great Lakes Region.

At that time, the boat had started leaking an unknown substance and a boom was placed around it to absorb and contain any contaminants, he said.

The Coast Guard’s policing team has since been checking on the boat to make sure the boom was still in place and the vessel is not a threat to the public and environment, Shell said.

It is unclear if the Coast Guard was behind efforts to start righting the vessel, or if the owner had taken steps to do so as of Wednesday evening.

Mayor Jack Bradley said the city was not involved in the effort. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is not involved, according to its spokesperson. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is aware of the vessel and the Coast Guard’s response to the leak from it last month, according to its spokesperson.

Lorain city Chief of Staff Rick Soto provided some background on the ferry gathered by the Lorain Police Department while he was still on the force.

Its owern, Alan Johnson, bought the boat from Ontario Northland in the early 2000s and brought it to Lorain. The boat’s registration, out of Ontario, was suspended in 2008, according to Transport Canada.

Johnson could not be reached for comment.

According to Soto’s documents, the Lorain Police Department talked to Johnson in 2015 after concerns of kayakers boarding the boat and requiring a rescue response from the Marine Patrol. At that time, Johnson told officers the boat has a hull made for traveresing through ice and that it floats with no leaks. He agreed to post a “no trespassing” sign on the vessel.

At that time, officers contacted the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit, which deemed the boat not hazardous to the environment and not in a shipping channel.

“The USCG’s view at the time was that the vessel was grounded on private property and would need to be removed by private salvage,” according to the provided documents.

Built in 1949, the boat began its life as Romeo & Annette in the 1950s as car ferry, according to clippings posted by the Russel Bros. Shipbuilding company, which built the ferry in Owen Sound. It was renamed the Upper Canada in the mid-1960s.

An October 2021 story published by Thousand Islands Life Magazine chronicled the ship’s life before its fate below the Lofton Henderson, including its many changes in routes and ports.

– Chronicle Telegram (February 16, 2023)

Opening date of the 2023 navigation season and maximum allowable drafts

The opening date for the 2023 navigation season is scheduled to take place on the following dates and time:

• Montreal / Lake Ontario Section: March 22, 2023 – 0800 hours (D.S.T.)
• Welland Canal: March 22, 2023 – 0800 hours (D.S.T.)

Ship transits will be subject to weather and ice conditions. Restrictions may apply in some areas until lighted navigation aids have been installed.

Sault Ste. Marie Locks and Canals
Opening of the Sault Ste. Marie Locks (U.S.A.) is currently scheduled for March 25, 2023. Please note the Notice to Navigation Interests released by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for further information.

Allowable Draft
In the Montreal / Lake Ontario Section, the maximum allowable draft will be 80.0 dm (26′ 3″). The maximum draft will be increased to 80.8 dm (26′ 6″) for all ships when the South Shore Canal is icefree and when water levels are favorable.

In the Welland Canal, a maximum allowable draft of 80.8 dm (26′ 6″) will be in effect from the start of the navigation season for all ships.

Ships equipped with an approved and operational draft information system will be permitted to transit at a draft of up to 7cm above the maximum allowable draft.

There will be zero tolerance for ships to transit at drafts in excess of those specified in this Notice.

– St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (February 14, 2023)

Wisconsin awards $5.3 million in harbor maintenance grants

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, together with the state’s Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announced grants totaling $5.3 million for seven harbor maintenance and improvement projects to promote waterborne freight and economic development.

“From the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River, Wisconsin’s unique geography provides our state opportunities to grow our economy and help our businesses reach markets worldwide,” said Gov. Evers. “These grants will help maintain our harbors and ensure our ports are secure and reliable, all while strengthening our supply chains and our commitment to our port cities.”

“Strong multimodal transportation infrastructure positions Wisconsin’s businesses to succeed in a global economy,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “We are committed to improving our ability to move freight, and our harbors are a critical part of this strategy.”

Projects supported by the $5.3 million in Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) grants include:

• Perch Point LLC., Port Milwaukee – $540,000 to construct a dock wall to support the movement and delivery of shoreline protection materials along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
• Port of Green Bay – $1,000,000 to stabilize the existing shoreline with bulkhead fill and dock wall construction on new Port property located at the mouth of the Fox River.
• Hanke Terminals, La Crosse – $200,000 to repair a failing dock wall used to export ag-commodities and import miscellaneous bulk goods.
• Briess Industries Inc., Manitowoc – $1,000,000 to dredge the bed of the Manitowoc River along frontage used by Briess to broaden maritime transportation options for agricultural commodities.
• U.S. Venture Inc., Green Bay – $200,000 to dredge the bed of the Fox River to allow the continued import of petroleum products to Northeast Wisconsin.
• FJ Robers, La Crosse – $1,170,000 to repair and construct a new dock wall to allow the continued operation of a bulk commodity transload facility. This section of wall is dedicated to the transfer of corn and soybeans and is critical to sustaining Wisconsin as an important origin for the export market.
• Holcim US Green Bay Terminal, Green Bay – $1,200,000 to dredge the bed of the Fox River and construct a new docking facility to receive cement used in construction across the region.

“This is good news for Green Bay and our entire region,” said Dean Haen, Port of Green Bay Director. “These grant funds will allow the Port of Green Bay and our terminal operators to continue working to maintain and improve waterborne transportation that supports and grows our regional and state economy.”

Created in 1979, Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve waterborne commerce. Applications are reviewed by the Harbor Advisory Council, which includes members from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, University of Wisconsin (UW) Sea Grant, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and alumni from the Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute.

Applications are accepted from public or private harbor facilities for projects that benefit facilities used for cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, vessel cruises, or ferry service. All projects must have a transportation efficiency benefit-cost ratio greater than one over a 25-year project life and be identified in a current three-year harbor development plan. Selection criteria include economic impact, urgency, and project type. Those interested in the next round of Harbor Assistance Project grants should note that the deadline for the next cycle is August 1, 2023.

– Marine Link (February 3, 2023)

A tug and dredge at work in a Wisconsin harbor. Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin image, n.d.

Port of Monroe celebrates successful 2022-23 shipping season

The 2022-23 shipping season was another successful season for the Port of Monroe. Along with terminal operator DRM Terminal Services, the Port welcomed new ships to its docks and celebrated new cargo evolutions during the shipping season while setting the stage for growth in 2023 and beyond.

Highlights
The Port undertook a large wind energy project that saw 90 wind tower sections manufactured in Monroe by partner Ventower Industries exported to Oswego, New York. This is just the latest renewable energy project the Port has completed with its stakeholders, previously handling and staging components destined for the Isabella Wind Project in Isabella County in 2020 and facilitating the export of Ventower wind towers to Peru in 2019.

A new Manitowoc crawler crane, purchased with funds from the Marine Highway grant program, was put into service. The Port is an active Marine Highway on route M-90 and continues to seek new short-sea-shipping opportunities.

In partnership with Gerdau and the Interlake Steamship Company, the Port realized an all-marine route for special bar quality (SBQ) steel manufactured at Gerdau’s facility in Monroe to the twin ports of Duluth, MN/Superior, WI. A trial shipment was loaded on Interlake’s Paul R. Tregurtha in August using the Port’s new crawler crane, demonstrating the feasibility of moving the cargo by vessel. Subsequent cargoes were loaded on the new Mark W. Barker. Over the past decade, Gerdau has invested nearly $400 million to transform the Monroe mill into a world class SBQ production facility and recently announced an additional $40.4 million investment at the Monroe mill to upgrade the facility’s rolling mill capabilities.

Additionally, the Port introduced a new alternate logo featuring the Port’s “flagship” tug Georgia of the Great Lakes Towing Co. Built in 1897, the Georgia celebrated her 125^th year of continuous service as the oldest commercially operated tugboat in the world. The Georgia also became fully compliant with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Subchapter M requirements making her the oldest vessel in compliance.

Tonnage
A total of 2,513,890 tons were received at the Port’s facilities and docks along the River Raisin during the 2022 shipping season. This represents a 10 percent increase in tonnage when compared to the previous season.

The DTE Monroe Power Plant received 1,753,772 short tons of coal and petroleum coke, as well as 246,745 tons of limestone.

The Port handled a total of 121,235 tons of bulk, a 3 percent increase from last season. The Port continues to be a valuable part of the beneficial reuse supply chain on the Great Lakes.

242,085 tons of steel coils were handled by vessel, smashing the total of 132,066 tons received the season prior and resulting in an 83 percent increase. 6,518 tons of SBQ produced by Gerdau were handled.

A total of 143,035 tons of liquid asphalt was received by Michigan Paving and Materials representing a 3 percent increase from last season.

The Port will continue to see shipments of liquid asphalt and steel coils through the winter as weather permits.

Visitors
The Port welcomed Ashton Marine for the first time this past season. This Michigan-based tug company provided the transportation to New York during the wind energy project.

Four different McKeil Marine vessels called on the Port to deliver steel coils during the season, including the Alouette Spirit, Florence Spirit, Harvest Spirit, and Huron Spirit.

In total, the new Mark W. Barker visited Monroe three times in its delivery season, loading synthetic gypsum once and bar stock twice. The vessel’s square holds and wide hatch openings make it well-equipped to handle a number of cargoes in and out of Monroe.

Other newcomers to the Port in 2022 included the articulated tug/barge Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader of VanEnkevort Tug & Barge and the Malcolm Marine tug Manitou.

The most frequent visitor to the Port was the Paul R. Tregurtha with 22 visits to the DTE Monroe Power Plant and 1 visit to the Riverfront dock. The Tregurtha was followed by the American Century with 18 and the Harvest Spirit with 11.

Check out this gallery to see all the ships that visited the Port during the 2022-23 shipping season!

On the horizon
In July 2022, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Grant Program Act which established the Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Office within the Michigan Department of Transportation that will create the Port Facility Improvement Fund. This increased maritime focus within MDOT will bring new funding opportunities to the Port of Monroe and other maritime stakeholders in the State of Michigan, which will enhance competition for stakeholders with this fund functioning as the local match in competitive federal grants.

In October 2022, the Port of Monroe was awarded over $11 million in funds from the Port Infrastructure Development Program for its Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project. The award is the largest in the Port’s history. The project will involve the rehabilitation of aging infrastructure at the Port including its turning basin dock which dates back to the 1930s and a small slip adjacent to the Port’s office that will be rebuilt into a “maritime readiness slip” to be used by local emergency response vessels. The Port’s existing riverfront wharf will also be rehabilitated, and a new identical wharf will be constructed on the riverfront to be used exclusively for the transfer of wind energy components. The project also includes the installation of shore power along the riverfront.

The Port continues to work with its stakeholders to develop the Michigan Maritime Gateway, a new container terminal that will complement existing maritime container operations on the Great Lakes and connect local importers and exporters to global markets. The Port received $5 million from the State of Michigan in support of this project.

Quotes
“The 2022 shipping season was one of the most historic in the Port’s history. While achieving near record tonnage throughput the Port handled the most diverse mix of vessels and cargoes since the Port’s inception in 1932,” said Capt. Paul C. LaMarre III, Port Director, Port of Monroe. “Our continued growth is a testament to the hardworking men and women who breathe life into our operations. As we look to the season ahead, the amount of infrastructure investment and cargo throughput will only be rivaled by the pride each of us take in making the Port of Monroe more sustainable on behalf of the citizens and industry we serve.”

“Without the continued support and dedication of the Port’s management team, the local, state, and federal governments, the incredible successes to date would not have been possible,” said Stephen Gray, President, DRM Terminal Management. “DRM’s rapid increase in tonnage and investment in equipment and human capitol throughout the region is a testament to the potentials that become a reality when private and public partnerships are stewarded by good governing principles. I am particularly proud of our contribution to beneficial reuse and the impact it has on the local community and beyond.”

“The port commission is very proud of the achievements that the Port staff and DRM have accomplished, and we acknowledge that none of this would be possible without the exceptional leadership of our port director Paul LaMarre,” said Dale Brose, Chairman, Monroe Port Commission. “In the ten years he has been at Monroe, he has continuously demonstrated the ability to build effective public-private partnerships that serve the needs of Monroe citizens and strengthen local and regional industries.”

– Port of Monroe (February 13, 2023)

Ports of Indiana names Jody Peacock as new CEO

Ports of Indiana has named Jody Peacock as the new chief executive officer for the statewide port authority which operates three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The action was approved during today’s meeting of the Ports of Indiana Commission. Peacock has served in various leadership positions for the Ports of Indiana since 2001 and he most recently was senior vice president for business development. Peacock succeeds Vanta E. Coda II, who served as CEO from 2018 to 2022.

“We are extremely pleased to name Jody as Ports of Indiana’s new CEO,” said Commission Chairman Micah Vincent. “Jody’s extensive experience, customer-focused vision and deep understanding of the organization’s economic development mission make him uniquely well qualified for this role. We thank Vanta for his past service and leadership, and we look forward to a bright future as we strive to grow our state port system.”

During his 22 years with Ports of Indiana, Peacock helped develop multiple strategic plans and business initiatives that reshaped the bipartisan port authority from a small government-funded agency to a self-funded, entrepreneurial enterprise that has achieved record growth under five Governors. Peacock led business development efforts to attract millions of dollars in private investment to Indiana’s ports, expand the state’s foreign-trade zone and financing programs, and secure multiple federal grants for new infrastructure projects. Prior to his current role, Peacock spent more than 10 years directing the organization’s communications, marketing, government relations, corporate affairs and foreign-trade zone program.

“It’s a great honor to be asked by our Commission to lead an organization that has been such a big part of my life for more than 20 years,” Peacock said. “I am immensely proud to be part of the Ports of Indiana team and to share in our past success, but as I look to the future, I am even more excited to build on the relationships we have formed with our customers, our industry partners and community leaders to increase the contributions our ports make to Indiana’s economy.”

Peacock has previously received appointments by three Indiana Governors to serve on two binational Great Lakes boards that have established new regional economic and environmental policies, and by Governor Holcomb to the Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Committee to oversee distribution of Indiana’s Volkswagen settlement.

Peacock grew up on a farm in Union City, Ind., and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University Kelley School of Business and bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University. He lives in northwest Indianapolis with his wife, Dr. Orla Hart, a biochemistry professor at Purdue University, and their two children.

“The Ports of Indiana is made up of a great team of professionals, world-class companies and one of the most well-connected inland port systems in the country,” Peacock said. “We offer ocean access at the Crossroads of America in one of the most business-friendly states in the country, which is truly unique value proposition for multimodal companies.”

– Ports of Indiana (February 13, 2023)

U.S. Great Lakes fleet set for $126 million in winter work 

The U.S. Great Lakes shipping fleet has begun the annual transition from sailing to scheduled periods in regional docks and ship repair facilities for repair, maintenance and modernization.

This year alone, U.S. Great Lakes shipping companies will invest more than $126 million in their vessels—from over 1,000-feet to smaller tug and barge combinations—at shipyards and facilities across the Great Lakes, according to trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association. This includes more than $48 million in Wisconsin, $43.5 million in Ohio, $9 million in Michigan and $26 million spread across Minnesota, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania.

Services range from replacing steel plating and engine overhauls, to navigation and other equipment updates and painting. Some vessels will be completely pulled from the water in a dry dock to be inspected, cleaned and repainted.

The work is critical to maintaining a fleet of freshwater vessels that will return to service in March, plying Great Lake waterways until January when they’ll return to the docks for the next repair cycle.

“It is a unique system here on the Great Lakes where U.S. shipping companies transport critical raw materials from the northern Great Lakes to manufacturing facilities on the lower lakes. The raw materials are transformed into finished products like steel which are then reinvested into our vessels,” said Jim Weakley, president of the Lake Carriers’ Association. “The relationship between Great Lakes shipyards and U.S. shipping is vital to the regional economy and supports our national economic security. Without this mutually beneficial relationship, it would be difficult to keep the pilot light of North American manufacturing lit.”

– Marine Link (February 6, 2023)

A G-tug assists American Century at the Port of Monroe. Sam Hankinson image, 2022

U.S. Great Lakes port officials recap 2022 shipping season, provide insights

With the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System’s 2022 shipping season recently coming to a close, the Great Lakes Seaway Partnership is providing a closer look at the efforts that made last year’s successes possible.

“Ports around the Great Lakes Seaway System demonstrated a high level of resiliency and a commitment to uplifting the American economy in 2022,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “The ability of the Seaway System to adapt and overcome various supply chain challenges domestically and internationally leaves me with a great sense of pride and optimism as we gear up for a strong 2023 shipping season.”

2022 saw notable increases in shipments of corn, soy, fertilizer, wind energy equipment, and a diverse range of other essential commodities on the Seaway System.

2022 Highlights from U.S. Great Lakes Ports

Lake Ontario

Port of Oswego

A high volume of grains, aluminum, and wind energy equipment shipments tell the story of the Port of Oswego in 2022. The port proved to be well-positioned to respond to increased demand for moving essential commodities. One notable highlight included importing New York State’s largest wind turbine blade, which was made possible because of the construction of a new road connected to the port.

“We’re no longer looked at as the small little port on Lake Ontario, and we’re gaining our reputation in the Great Lakes commerce trade,” said William Scriber, Executive Director of the Port of Oswego. “I believe that a prosperous and healthy port creates a prosperous and healthy community, and that’s what the Port of Oswego has always been. Our board and I have a vision of ensuring that the Port of Oswego is a driving economic force in upstate New York.”

Scriber also pointed to his port’s role in supplying the growing domestic semiconductor industry. Micron Technology, Inc., announced plans to build what will be the largest semiconductor fabrication facility in the country by 2024 in nearby Onondaga County, N.Y.

The Port of Oswego isn’t without its challenges, however. Lake Ontario is impacted by rising water levels caused by climate change, prompting the port to stay ahead of the curve by investing in infrastructure and stabilization efforts.

“Our primary concern is our docks and our piers. We’ve invested heavily in upgrading our docks in response to high water levels brought on by climate change,” added Scriber. “We have to not only be prepared for the effects of climate change, but we have to be able to thrive and prosper amid these changes.”

Lake Erie

Port of Cleveland

The Port of Cleveland saw significant tonnage increases in 2022. General cargo was up 25 percent compared to 2021, as its docks moved roughly 525,000 metric tons in 2022. Container volumes through Cleveland also doubled last year compared to the previous year.

Infrastructure upgrades were significant in Cleveland last year. The Port of Cleveland is nearing completion of its Dock 24 and Dock 26 rehabilitation project, a $22 million investment that will position the port for success for the next 30 to 40 years. This and other projects have substantially reduced the port’s environmental footprint by limiting the amount of time trucks have to wait when moving in and out of the port.

Frequent destinations on the Great Lakes, including the Port of Cleveland, found themselves well-positioned to help shippers overcome global supply chain challenges in 2022.

“Congestion at coastal ports frankly helps smaller, inland ports like us because customers and cargo owners are looking for other locations to move their goods through,” said Dave Gutheil, Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Cleveland. “We’ve done a good job of establishing ourselves as a viable alternative to the coastal ports. Cargo owners have come to the realization that ports like us can be used just as efficiently, if not more so, as the coastal ports.”

Port of Toledo

The Port of Toledo had a record year as its General Cargo Dock handled its highest volume of aluminum shipments to date. Additionally, grain shipments at Toledo jumped nearly 15 percent compared to 2021, marking the highest increase the port has seen. State and federal partnerships empowered the port to upgrade its infrastructure and reduce its environmental impact.
“The extensive capabilities of the Port of Toledo were demonstrated throughout our record-setting shipping season,” said Joe Cappel, Vice President of Business Development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “Strategic infrastructure and sustainability investments not only made our accomplishments in 2022 possible but they also position our docks for high productivity and efficiency in the years ahead.”

Lake Michigan

Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor

It was a record setting year at Burns Harbor, which for the second straight season handled more cargo through its docks than any other year since the Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor opened in 1970. The port handled record volumes of foundry coke, minerals, and steel products in 2022.

“We’re excited to celebrate another record year, but we believe the best is yet to come,” said Ryan McCoy, Port Director for the Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor. “Our team is currently working on a $32 million facilities expansion funded, in part, by two federal grants that includes construction of two rail yards, new bulk and general cargo terminals, a bulk warehouse and a truck marshalling yard. These new assets will drive significant future growth.”

Illinois International Port District

The Illinois International Port District’s (IIPD) productive 2022 was driven by increased volumes of lumber, sugar, and non-ferrous metals shipped through Chicago. Other highlights at IIPD include securing $21.5 million in state grant funding through the Rebuild Illinois program and implementing its first ever master plan.

The grant funding will go towards the reconstruction of a landing dock wall and to replace warehouse roofs, which will make the port more energy efficient as it sees continued growth. Additionally, federal bipartisan infrastructure investments passed during the last Congress are taking effect. Vice President Kamala Harris recently visited the 95th Street Bridge over the Calumet River to tout $144 million to upgrade the bridges and roads near the IIPD.

Erik A. Varela, Executive Director of the IIPD, explained that the steel and concrete needed for these infrastructure investments wouldn’t be possible without the shipments that come through his docks.

“Without our partnerships at all levels of government, we wouldn’t be able to obtain the capital necessary to complete these projects on our own. It’s been so long since we’ve had capital improvement projects of this magnitude here in Chicago,” Varela said. “We’re getting the materials we need to build our cities, states, and country.”

Port Milwaukee

Overall tonnage through Port Milwaukee was down slightly in 2022 compared to 2021, but new developments underway give good reason to be optimistic heading into the next shipping season. Construction of a new agricultural export facility is expected to complete this spring and should position Milwaukee for sustained productivity going forward.

“We’re constantly working on reinvesting in our infrastructure. Our port is pretty old, so we’re making sure that we prioritize keeping our assets in good repair in order to accommodate new business when it comes,” said Jackie Q. Carter, Port Director of Port Milwaukee.

Carter also emphasized that breakbulk shipments, including brewery tanks and construction materials support broader industries in the region. “It’s nice to be able to connect something that people associate with Milwaukee back to the port and demonstrate our role in supporting that,” added Carter.

As the shipping industry focuses on new ways to reduce its environmental impact, Port Milwaukee launched its StewardSHIP Initiative in 2022 to incentivize ship owners to utilize sustainable policies. Fourteen (14) Milwaukee-bound vessels participated in this program in its first year.

Port of Green Bay

The Port of Green Bay saw its tonnage numbers in 2022 decrease 10 percent compared to 2021. Green Bay’s top imports included foreign limestone, which increased 11 percent last year, and domestic petroleum products, which jumped 36 percent.

“We had a strong shipping season in 2021 and while we strive to reach 2 million tons a year, it’s not always possible due to marketplace conditions,” said Dean Haen, Director of the Port of Green Bay said in a statement. “Still, in the current economy, we’re pleased with where things finished.”

Lake Superior

Port of Duluth-Superior

Total tonnage through the Port of Duluth-Superior was down in 2022 compared to the year prior, as commodities like coal and grain shipments were down relative to historical trends. It was still a strong year for general cargo shipments, including 19 million tons of iron ore.

Deb DeLuca, Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, pointed out the important economic impact the cargo shipments have on the region in a statement:

“On the positive side, 2022 was a terrific season for general cargo tonnage, and while it doesn’t offset grain or coal in total tonnage, those general cargo shipments deliver outsized economic value per ton in comparison, and they also support development of regional industry and greener energy sources, so they represent a big win for our port and our region.”

AJOT

Extreme caution advised on ice along shores of lakes Erie, Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the St. Lawrence River

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Coast Guard reminds the public to exercise extreme caution on ice along Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Each year the Great Lakes region sees multiple accidents due to unstable ice, resulting in people in the water as well loss of personal recreational equipment, such as snowmobiles and ATVs.

Current ice thickness is far below seasonal average, resulting in unstable, weak ice and extremely hazardous conditions. Varying air temperatures have also contributed to historically low ice coverage. This winter has already seen two large ice rescue cases in which multiple people had to be rescued on the Great Lakes.

“Never assume the ice is safe, even if others are on it,” said Sector Buffalo Commander Capt. Mark Kuperman. “Ice conditions are highly unpredictable this year, and where you may have safely gone on the ice last year, may be entirely different and unsafe this year.”

During the winter months, the public is reminded that certain safety precautions should be taken when engaging in recreational activities on or near the water. Wear the proper clothing to prevent hypothermia and choose bright colors to be easily seen. Carry proper safety equipment such as a whistle or noise-making device, waterproof VHF-FM radio or Personal Locating Beacon. Ice awls or screwdrivers can be vital in self-rescue, should an accident occur on the ice.

Please contact the Sector Buffalo Command Center at (716) 843-9527 with any questions.

USCG

President Biden Touts Port of Green Bay Expansion Project’s Potential for Job Creation

A Green Bay project talked about for decades has the eye of President Joe Biden.

While speaking in the Madison area on Wednesday, the President endorsed the job creation potential for expanding the Port of Green Bay to the mouth of the Fox River, which is being done as part of a plan to move the city’s downtown coal piles.

“That is pretty incredible to have the President of the United States mention the Port of Green Bay, so that was very satisfying. I think I’ll be sharing that with a few people,” said Dean Haen, the director of the Port of Green Bay.

The project is moving forward faster than expected, helped by about $30 million in various government grants.

“At the Port of Green Bay, we’re helping turn an old water plant site into a new port terminal — going to create thousands of jobs over time,” said President Biden. “This is a big deal.”

The site is actually the former Pulliam Power Plant.

“Just as a reference, when we did our 2017 economic impact study, the port was responsible for 1,700 to 1,800 jobs total,” said Haen. “So, when you talk thousands, you’re doubling the port. That is always a target and a goal to double the port, but I think hundreds is more realistic.”

Haen says job estimates for the expansion project can be complicated with direct, indirect and induced jobs.

“There are the people that actually work on that site and the people that are there to pick up the goods, move it by truck, train and then move it to a manufacturing facility where there is indirect jobs, so it’s complicated. But from our estimate, we’d be in the hundreds,” said Haen.

The goal is to start construction at the old power plant site at this time next year.

The City of Green Bay and C. Reiss Coal are still in negotiations about moving the coal piles.

“Progress is being made,” said Haen. “It’s complicated. We didn’t expect to have these dollars or to be moving this fast with the development, and now some of the other pieces have to hurry along to meet the same timelines.”

WNCY

Crews discover 153-year-old shipwreck in Lake Superior

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society announced the discovery of the 144-foot Barquentine “Nucleus,” which sank more than 150 years ago in Lake Superior.

According to the society, the “Nucleus” was found under 600 feet of water, about 40 miles northwest of Vermilion Point on Lake Superior.

The “Nucleus” sank on Sept. 14, 1869, when it was going downbound from Marquette with a load of iron ore. It had already sunk twice, and in 1854, it rammed and sank the S.S. Detroit in Lake Huron.

On Sept. 14, 1869, the Nucleus was caught in a bad storm on Lake Superior and started to take on water. The crew reportedly abandoned ship and took the lifeboat, with the “Nucleus” sinking shortly after.

Thankfully, the crew did not suffer loss of life after they were picked up by the schooner “Worthington,” but another ship kept on steaming and left them behind before the Worthington showed up.

The “Nucleus” is one of the oldest ships to go down along the Lake Superior Shipwreck Coast.

“This is a pretty significant shipwreck…considering its age, the fact that it is a barquentine and we can’t overlook the vessel’s checkered past. The wreck site is littered with shovels too…and a few dinner plates, which speaks to their work and shipboard life,” Shipwreck Society Executive Director Bruce Lynn said in a statement.

The society used a marine sonic technology side-scan sonar in the summer of 2021 and positively identified the wreck in 2022

“The stern was intact. It had a straight back stern and then the port side also was intact. And so, I was more excited about it because at first, I thought it was totally in pieces on the bottom,” Society Director of Marine Operations Darryl Ertel Jr. said.

WXYZ

Cargill shutters Indiana grain elevator

PORTAGE, IND. — Cargill has closed its grain elevator at Burns Harbor in Portage as of Jan. 31, saying a variety of current and expected market conditions led to the decision to not renew its lease.

The elevator handled soybeans, corn and wheat on Lake Michigan with a storage capacity of 7.768 million bus, according to Sosland Publishing’s 2023 Grain & Milling Annual. The Ports of Indiana grain export terminal at Burns Harbor received by truck and rail and loaded barge, rail and truck.

Cargill said it notified customers of its decision in September 2022.

“There were several different contributing factors that led us to make this decision, which include the current and projected market environment,” Cargill said. “Cargill’s other local operations in the area continue, as do the larger network of grain and oilseeds facilities around the US, and we will utilize those operations to serve customers to ensure they continue to have access to markets for their grain.”

Cargill said it is retaining current employees at Burns Harbor through the duration of operations while also assisting them in finding other employment opportunities at Cargill.

Baking Business

Great Lakes ice coverage is well below average; what are the impacts?

Ice coverage along the Great Lakes is significantly below average, according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

As of Feb. 7, the average ice coverage on the Great Lakes is just 13.5%, and the average for this time of year is 37%.

When you compare the ice coverage from Feb. 7, 2023 to previous years on Feb. 7, it is below average. Ice coverage was 28.9% on Feb. 7, 2022, 18% on Feb. 7, 2021, 10.2% on Feb. 7, 2020, 42% on Feb. 7, 2019 and 55.5% on Feb. 7, 2018.

Breaking it down by each Great Lake, the ice coverage is below. The average ice cover per lake is in parentheses)

Lake Superior – 11.08% (15%)
Lake Michigan – 10.49% (10%)
Lake Huron – 18.42% (45%)
Lake Erie – 20.97% (60%)
Lake Ontario – 5.69% (5%)

The ice coverage for many of the Great Lakes had been in the single-digit percentages for most of the winter until a cold snap last week that spike ice coverage on much of the lakes.

Read the rest here: https://www.wxyz.com/news/great-lakes-ice-coverage-is-well-below-average-what-are-the-impacts

WXYZ

Chi-Cheemaun special events to continue in the 2023 season

OWEN SOUND, ON — Special events onboard the MS Chi-Cheemaun will once again be the norm when the ferry begins operating for the 2023 sailing season in May. This is only one of a few changes passengers will be seeing this year.

“We are hoping to be able to have the same type of special events regularly and have entertainment on board as there used to be on the ship,” said Carl Kuhnke, president and chief executive officer of the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC), last week. “The whole world has changed over the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mr. Kuhnke pointed out the full schedule and rates for the Chi-Cheemaun sailing season have not yet been released but confirmed the Chi-Cheemaun 2023 season will begin on May 5.

“We are going to able to provide several special events again this (sailing) season, and have had several requests come forward,” continued Mr. Kuhnke.

“We will also be offering a new point of sale wireless system on the ship through Starlink Satellite Company and passengers will be able to use their cellphone and tablets on the ship.”

Manitoulin Expositor

The short life of the new USS Little Rock: Design flaws, setbacks lead to decommissioning

Some 8,500 people turned out on Dec. 16, 2017, to watch the commissioning of the new $440 million USS Little Rock — draped in red, white and blue bunting — at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park.

That now appears to have been the ship’s only bright moment.

Not even six years later, the USS Little Rock will be decommissioned on March 31 at Mayport Naval Station in Florida, where it is stationed.

The 387-foot-long vessel was imperiled from the start with significant design flaws that the Navy has concluded cannot be overcome.

U.S. Navy officials first announced at a media briefing almost a year ago that nine Freedom-class littoral combat ships would be decommissioned as part of the 2023 fiscal year budget.

“It’s somewhat of an embarrassment,” said Paul Marzello, the Naval Park’s executive director. “It was a happy moment, a proud moment on Dec. 16, 2017, and here it is five and a half years later, and she’s being decommissioned.”

“It is really a disappointment,” said Maurice Naylon, who chaired the commissioning committee. “We were so proud of the way we joined forces for this historic event, and it certainly put a nice sheen on Buffalo’s reputation.”

The Little Rock suffered a major failure at sea in 2020, six weeks after departing Mayport on its first deployment due to a flaw in the propulsion system, according to defensennews.com.

The nine Lockheed Martin-built high-speed vessels were designed to operate in shallow waters, and they were outfitted with some 8,000 computer sensors. All were hit with the propulsion problem. The ships will likely be scrapped or sunk to the bottom of an ocean — the fate of many decommissioned ships.

Rear Adm. John Gumbleton, the deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget, put the cost of the nine vessels — the newest of which was commissioned in 2020 — to be decommissioned at $4.5 billion, according to defensenews.com.

“That’s a lot of money going, literally, right down the drain,” said Mike Vogel, president of the Buffalo Lighthouse Association. “It was a very expensive ship that had all kinds of potential, and it was certainly an honor to have it commissioned here in Buffalo. It’s kind of heartbreaking to see it a little bit later being decommissioned and probably scrapped.”

The modular, reconfigurable ship was built to engage in surface warfare, hunt enemy submarines and eliminate mines. The ship had the rare capacity to change from one mission to another within 96 hours, and, in some cases, just 24 hours.

It’s “plug and play” mission versatility also accommodated different weapon systems delivered at sea in steel cargo containers and lowered into the ship on a freight elevator, then maneuvered into place with overhead cranes and plugged into the ship’s computers.

Littoral combat ships can also maneuver in water just 13 1/2 feet deep, well below the 30 feet most naval ships require. That allows the ships to enter more ports, particularly in islands from Sri Lanka to the Philippines.

But the $762 billion defense budget for fiscal year 2023 included a request from the Navy to decommission 39 warships, including the nine Freedom-class littoral combat ships.

U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, who represents the Fayetteville, Ark., area, and takes pride in the two ships named for the state capital, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in October that the littoral combat ship program represented “a sad chapter in the history of the Navy.”

“It’s sad that the USS Little Rock is one of those out of the Freedom class,” Womack said. “The Freedom class had more problems than the others, but the entire littoral combat ships program has suffered from a lot of setbacks.”

Deactivated ships are taken to one of three locations where mothballed fleets of naval vessels wait for disposal: Philadelphia, Bremerton, Wash., and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The ships are often disassembled for the steel to be recycled. But that’s not always the case. Ships are also deliberately sunk, generally in locations where they can become artificial reefs to promote sea life, Vogel said.

The Navy’s Ship Donation Program decides if a vessel can be donated as a floating museum. But that rarely happens with ships with short lifespans. The Naval Park’s USS Little Rock, commissioned in 1945, served until 1976, six times the length of service of the newer namesake.

Marzello recalls fondly the commissioning of the newer ship. Former Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who once served on the-now museum USS Little Rock, and 300 former crew members and relatives, were on hand for the historic occasion. So was Commander Paul Burkhart, a Western New York native who served as the new Little Rock’s first commander while under construction.

“We’re going to certainly take a look at any opportunity that could possibly bring her back to Buffalo as a museum ship,” Marzello said. “It would be an interesting opportunity to see a 1940s ship called the USS Little Rock versus a 2017 version.

“It didn’t look like much from the outside, but the inside was a technological marvel.”

Stars and Stripes

American Lakers Invest $126 Million in the Great Lakes States

CLEVELAND, OHIO (February 6, 2023) – U.S. shipping companies operating exclusively on the Great Lakes transitioned from sailing to the annual process of repairing, maintaining and modernizing their fleet of lakers.  Vessels ranging in length from over 1000-feet to smaller tug and barge combinations have taken to docks and ship repair facilities around the Great Lakes region.

This year alone U.S. Great Lakes shipping companies will invest over $126 million in their vessels at shipyards and facilities across the Great Lakes.  That includes over $48 million in Wisconsin, $43.5 million in Ohio, $9 million in Michigan, and $26 million spread across Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.  The work includes replacing steel plating, engine overhauls, navigation equipment updates, and painting.  Some vessels will be completely pulled from the water in a dry dock to be inspected, cleaned, and repainted.

The work is critical to maintaining a fleet of freshwater behemoths that beginning in March will constantly ply Great Lake waterways until January when the vessels return to the docks for the next repair cycle.  “It is a unique system here on the Great Lakes where U.S. shipping companies transport critical raw materials from the northern Great Lakes to manufacturing facilities on the lower lakes.  The raw materials are transformed into finished products like steel which are then reinvested into our vessels,” stated Jim Weakley, President of the Lake Carriers’ Association.  “The relationship between Great Lakes shipyards and U.S. shipping is vital to the regional economy and supports our national economic security.  Without this mutually beneficial relationship, it would be difficult to keep the pilot light of North American manufacturing lit.”

Hundreds of skilled workers will be employed welding, pipefitting, and installing electronics and other critical components.  The amount of work being invested by U.S. Great Lakes shipping companies remains a testament to the continued vitality of U.S. Great Lakes shipping.

LCA

US Steel reports second-best earnings year in its history

United States Steel Corp. logged its second-best financial performance in the company’s more than a century in business, just behind the record it set in 2021.

The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker saw revenue of $21.06 billion for 2022, up from $20.27 billion in 2021, and earnings were $2.5 billion, $9.16 a share, for the year, down from the record last year of $4.17 billion, $14.88 a share. The earnings were released Thursday afternoon after the close of the New York Stock Exchange.

“2022 was another exceptional year for U. S. Steel, marking our second-best financial performance in the Company’s history,” said President and CEO David B. Burritt in a statement. Burritt and other executives will be talking with financial analysts and reviewing the company’s performance Friday morning in the quarterly conference call.

U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) fourth-quarter revenue dropped from $5.6 billion in 2021 to $4.3 billion in 2022, while revenue slid from $1.1 billion, $3.75 a share, in the fourth quarter of 2021 to $174 million, 68 cents a share, in 2022. The big story in revenue was in the tubular segment, which saw a sharp increase. The mini mill and U.S. Steel segments posted losses while flat-rolled steel saw a drop in sales.

“Our fourth-quarter results exceeded our guidance expectations thanks to the combined efforts of our domestic steelmaking operations and Tubular segment,” Burritt said.

He said there was a positive EBITDA in mini mill in December and that showed positive momentum.

Burritt also voiced optimism for 2023, saying that the company would continue to with shareholder rewards after $900 million was returned to shareholders in 2022.

“We are already delivering on strategic commitments, including the Gary Works pig iron machine that was commissioned ahead of schedule and on-budget,” Burritt said. “Later this year, our non-grain oriented electrical steel line at Big River Steel will begin producing advanced steel grades to meet the growing electric vehicle demand.”

BizJournals

Sailors enduring harsh winter on 3 tugboats detained in Quebec port

Groups that advocate for seafarers are expressing concern for 11 sailors who are spending a harsh Quebec winter aboard three tugboats that have been detained for months in the port of Trois-Rivières.

Paul Racette, who operates the Foyer des Marins seafarers’ club in the port, said the workers, who hail from Mexico, Cuba and Guyana, aren’t used to winter.

“For them, 17 degrees is cold, so imagine them having to work outdoors at the temperatures we’re having now,” he said in an interview.

Montreal CTV News

Rotting 183-year-old Lake Erie lighthouse at risk of toppling: Officials

Port Burwell’s 1840-vintage wooden lighthouse – the oldest one on Lake Erie’s north shore – is so rickety it’s sealed off and at risk of being blown over.

More than a month after a three-day storm battered the lakeside community, downing trees and power lines and ripping the roof off a restaurant, part of the main road running past the lighthouse is closed.

Read the rest here: https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/rotting-183-year-old-lake-erie-lighthouse-at-risk-of-toppling-officials?fbclid=IwAR1fBuB-PhcwF-McIO7yjVKnXS36D628vxYC0OwgCC0Tfrvcx9j6DLwPUac