Cleveland-Cliffs idles blast furnace but expects strong 2025

Cleveland-Cliffs expects 2025 to be a strong year for the company, citing decreasing interest rates, certainty after the US elections and an increase in manufacturing onshoring, top executives said in the company’s third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday November 5.

“There are a lot of potential catalysts that are brewing in the market that could be a benefit here in the short term,” Celso Goncalves, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said on the call.

The CFO explained: “Manufacturing onshoring will lead to demand. Imports are currently unattractive. There’s potential for increased trade protection. You’re going to see a lot of demand from the CHIPS [and Science] Act and the IRA [Inflation Reduction Act], and the auto industry eventually will rebound.”

Clarity after the conclusion of the presidential election was another factor contributing to the bullishness for 2025, according to executives on the call.

“Customers will start placing orders [after the elections], and things will start to heat up fast. I am anticipating a very strong Q1, and I believe that we are going to have volumes back to normal by the first half of next year,” Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cleveland-Cliffs, said on Tuesday.

The bullishness for 2025 comes despite a dismal third quarter, with the steelmaker reporting a net loss of $230 million, compared with a net income of $275 million in the same quarter in 2023.

The company reported steel shipments of 3.8 million net tons for the third quarter, down from 4.1 million tons shipped in the third quarter of 2023.

The weakness in automotive demand was driven by high interest rates, the CEO said on the call.

No6 BF expected to resume early 2025

Cleveland-Cliffs’ idled No6 blast furnace (BF) at its flat-rolled steel mill in Cleveland, Ohio, is expected to resume operations in early 2025, Lourenco said on the call.

The BF was temporarily idled due to ongoing demand weakness, and took an estimated 1.5 million tons of annual capacity off the market, Celso told investors.

Both Goncalves said on the earnings call that the BF will resume operations when demand improves.

“We will bring [BF6] back as soon…as demand comes back, which will come back when pricing recovers. I believe that the price recovery [will come back] early 2025, so I expect that we’re going to bring [BF6] back sometime early next year,” Lourenco said.

Fastmarkets, By Alesha Alkaff

MARAD Awards $77.3 million to Great Lakes Ports

Today the Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $580 million to 31 recipient ports in 15 states and territories. These grants are from the agency’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP). Five Great Lakes ports received grants today totaling $77.3 million, or 13% of the total.

 PIDP is the United States’ primary federal assistance program for port infrastructure. Funds are distributed annually via a competitive grant process. Recipients are port authorities, or other local public agencies, or private entities in partnership with a public agency. The PIDP program was first funded by Congress in 2019. Baseline program funds are provided by annual appropriations from Congress. Additionally, the 2022 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provided $2.25 billion in advanced appropriations for the program between 2022-2026.

 Unfortunately, during the program’s five-year history, there has been a bias toward East Coast and West Coast ports and an inequitable distribution of federal assistance. For example, in 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation distributed slightly more than $653 million in PIDP grants. Great Lakes ports only received 2% of the total. West Coast ports received 42% and East Coast ports received 35% of the total.

 Last March, AGLPA members met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and called for improved regional equity in the distribution of PIDP grants. Subsequent discussions with MARAD program staff helped improve understanding of Great Lakes port needs.

 Today’s announcement reflects improved balance in the regional distribution of PIDP funds. Many thanks go to Secretary Buttigieg and the team at MARAD for hearing our concerns.

 To view a list all of PIDP grants awarded today, Click Here
https://www.greatlakesports.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PIDP-2024-Project-Descriptions.pdf

Tawas Bay eyes cruise ship tourism for economic boost

TAWAS, MI — The possibility of Tawas Bay becoming a new cruise ship destination on Lake Huron is gaining momentum. With renewed efforts, the Tawas community is hopeful that the initiative will boost local tourism and invigorate the economy.

Rich Castle, a board member of Develop Iosco, outlined the history and progress of the project. “In 2010, we completed two feasibility studies to determine if East Tawas was capable of accommodating a cruise ship. The studies revealed that the East Tawas State Harbor dock was not suitable for cruise ships to tie off. This halted any momentum we had,” Castle explained.

Fast forward to 2024, advancements in cruise ship operations now allow vessels to anchor in Tawas Bay and shuttle passengers to shore. This development has reignited interest in Tawas as a potential cruise destination. “We have developed a proposal and a summary sheet highlighting East Tawas as a potential cruise destination on the Great Lakes. These proposals have been sent to eight different cruise lines operating in Michigan and the Great Lakes region,” Castle added.

Local stakeholders, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the East Tawas Business Association, the City of East Tawas, Develop Iosco, and the Tawas Chamber of Commerce, have collaborated to support the proposal. “Everyone is on board and supporting the community’s decision to pursue a cruise destination for East Tawas,” Castle said.

Samantha Duval from the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce shared her excitement about the potential impact on the local economy. “The possibility of having hundreds of people dropped off downtown East Tawas would be huge for our small businesses and community as a whole,” Duval stated.

The community’s goal is to establish two cruise line destinations in Northeast Michigan, benefiting the entire region. “Our goal is to have Tawas Bay and Alpena as cruise line destinations, creating opportunities for our entire region,” Castle emphasized.

As the proposal progresses, the Tawas community remains optimistic about the potential economic and social benefits that cruise tourism could bring.  

WBKB 11

49 years after sinking, Abilene resident keeps memory of Edmund Fitzgerald alive

Abilene, Kansas – On the night of November 10, 1975, the 729-foot SS Edmund Fitzgerald, loaded with over 26,000 tons of iron ore, sank in Lake Superior, taking with it the lives of all 29 crew members.

One of those crew members was Robert Rafferty, the ship’s cook. His daughter, Abilene resident Pamela Johnson, now 73, remains a yearly advocate for her father along with those who perished at memorials and for various interviews.

“I’ve been doing this since the 25th anniversary,” said Johnson, who recently traveled to Michigan for the 49th memorial anniversary service.

“I met Gordon Lightfoot, and he said, ‘Are you going to the thing up in Michigan?’ I said, ‘No’. He said, ‘Why not? You’re the daughter of the cook.’ And so he encouraged me, and I started going. I’ve been going ever since.”

Singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot wrote the 1976 song, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

 In it he only references two people, the captain and the ship’s cook. “I’m very proud…I really feel honored for that.” As of right now, Johnson is the only one speaking about the tragedy who is directly related to a casualty of the shipwreck. 

“When I went on the 25th anniversary, Gordon Lightfoot said, ‘You need to be a part of this; you need to stand up and start talking.’ He told me those two ladies that I knew didn’t really care for him. Because I came in afterward and became a speaker, they didn’t like that. Both have since died, and then I kind of took over.”

The Edmund Fitzgerald’s last trek began in Superior, Wisconsin, headed toward a Detroit-area steel mill carrying 26,116 long tons of taconite pellets. The pellets are processed iron ore, heated and rolled into marble-sized balls. It departed on November 9, joined by another freighter, the Arthur M. Anderson, which lagged about 10 miles behind.

Capt. Ernest M. McSorley of the Edmund Fitzgerald led the faster ship, keeping radio contact with the Anderson under Capt. Bernie Cooper as they tracked a course along the Canadian coast to avoid high winds. A storm with winds over 70 miles per hour and waves crashing in at over 25 feet began to toss the ships around.

The two ships continued through the waves as the sun set. At 7:15 p.m., the Fitzgerald’s radar pip vanished from the Anderson’s screens, and radio calls to the ship went unanswered. By 8 p.m., Capt. Cooper had radioed the Coast Guard, who launched a search.

Only two damaged lifeboats were found initially and four days later, the wreckage was found 535 feet down. There was never a confirmed determination on how and why the ship sank, but after a few expeditions it was likely structural damage compounded by the strength of the waves.

“My mom called me and said that my dad had passed. And you know, the funny thing is, they still haven’t called my mom—who’s dead now—to tell us what happened to my dad,” Johnson shared. “They never did call, and I keep thinking, aren’t I supposed to be mad at you.” A story in the newspaper was how the family initially learned what happened.

Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the tragedy and there are already big plans in place.

Johnson said there’s a new song written about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and it was created based on her own story. It’s called “Daddies aren’t supposed to die” but she does not remember the name of the artist.

“I don’t want to start singing it because I’ll cry,” she said on the interview. “It’s such a beautiful song, and I can’t wait. He’s going to sing it to me next year at the 50th anniversary.”

 Johnson also said there are rumors of the Detroit Lions getting involved with next year’s celebration. “There’s talk—I can’t guarantee this is truthful—but one of the people up in Michigan I talk to and tell them when I’m coming, said, ‘Well, what are you doing next year? There’s going to be thousands of people there.’ They’re actually talking about having the memorial in the Detroit Lions football stadium!”

Last year, new developments concerning the wreckage were brought to light. Johnson received a video recording of the wreckage of the Fitzgerald.

“I have a recording from when they went down and dove to the bottom and tried to bring stuff up,” she revealed. “We don’t want anybody to go down there anymore. If you do, it’s a million-dollar fine and practically a hundred years in jail. We don’t allow it.”

Ontario only allows expeditions to occur legally and with a license.

“I’m proud of who I am and who he was. I wear my Edmund Fitzgerald shirt and put my little chest out there, showing it off with pride,” Johnson said. “I wear who I am proudly. I’m the cook’s daughter. My dad was a good man, and I’ve been blessed to meet other families at the memorial who understand that. We love each other deeply, and it’s a lot of crying and hugging each year. “It’s all part of keeping the memory of our fathers alive, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop going back,”

She continued, “There’s a great sense of closeness…I’m always thinking of others who couldn’t be there, those sitting outside in the cold, wishing they could be part of it all. I try to mother everyone there because I understand how it feels to want to be part of something, to want a connection.

Johnson is glad she still gets to talk about her father and that people still care. “It makes my day to remember him and share his story. There’s no replacing these memories, and they stay with you forever,” she concluded.

“I like to help people tell the truth about these things. There’s been enough loss and heartache without adding lies to it.”

By Justin Sarachik – Abilene Reflector-Chronicle Nov 10, 2024

Toledo museum celebrates the Christmas Tree Ship’s legacy

On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.

The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.

Community Giveback Day Itinerary

    10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day

    11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade

    1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream

    1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks

    1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa

Not able to join in person? Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!

Read more here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship24/

Grain the Dominant Commodity as End of Shipping Season Draws Near

November 14, 2024 — As the 2024 marine shipping season continues into its final months, grain remains the dominant commodity trafficking the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway for two years in a row.

As noted in a release recently issued by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, in October there was 28 million metric tons of cargo movements since the start of the navigation season.  This included:

    Approximately 8 million metric tons (mt) of Canadian and U.S. grain traffic, which is up 807,000 mt or 11.24% year over year

    Approximately 1.36 million mt of Potash traffic, representing an increase of 142,000 mt or 11.7% year over year; and

    1.63 million mt of iron and steel traffic, which is up by 227,000 mt or 16.2% over last year.

A Chamber of Marine Commerce (CMC) member playing a vital role in all the grain traffic happening this year is Richardson International, a global leader in agriculture and food processing.  The company is Canada’s largest agribusiness, and a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds. Every year, they handle 14 to 16 million tonnes of locally-sourced grains, oilseeds, and other crops to meet growing global demand for quality Canadian commodities.

“Canada has seen a very strong pace for exports in both 2023 and 2024, and we expect demand to continue to be strong for the balance of this crop year,” said Carsten Bredin, Vice-President of Grain Merchandising for Richardson International. “The large crop in Manitoba and excellent harvest conditions have ensured we are ready to keep pace with demand, and maintain Canada’s place as global leader in supplying quality product.”

“Companies like Richardson International helped build Canada’s global reputation as a reliable provider of high-quality product that people all over the world can depend on,” noted Bruce Burrows, President and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce.  “In an ever-changing world, that reputation for reliability is more important than ever. Through the CMC’s continuous advocacy for the protection and strengthening of supply chains, we are doing our part to maintain Canada’s place in world markets for years to come.”

 Chamber of Marine Commerce

Toledo museum celebrates the Christmas Tree Ship’s legacy

On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.

The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.

Community Giveback Day Itinerary

    10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day

    11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade

    1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream

    1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks

    1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa

Not able to join in person? Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!

Read more here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship24/

St. Lawrence Seaway Cargo Movements Show Positive October Uptick

CORNWALL, ON / WASHINGTON D.C. (November 13, 2024) – The St. Lawrence Seaway reported its October performance figures, with cargo shipments reaching 28 million metric tons since the start of the navigation season. Although this represents a slight decrease compared to the same period last year, October saw a positive uptick over September’s results, underscoring the Seaway’s vital role in supporting the North American supply chain.

“In October, the Seaway System saw a noticeable increase in cargo movements,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Administrator, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “These next few months are typically the busiest of the Seaway’s navigation season. The harvest is in, and U.S. export grain is moving through Great Lakes ports and the Seaway,” said Tindall-Schlicht. “As global demand increases, we anticipate this upward trend in outbound grain shipments to continue through the end of the year.”

“Trends across major cargo segments indicate continued demand in key sectors. Grain rose by 11% year-over-year, driven by robust agricultural exports, while potash increased by 12%. We anticipate a strong finish to the season,” said Jim Athanasiou, President and CEO of The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“As we approach the close of the navigation season on January 5 in the Montreal-Lake Ontario section and January 10 in the Welland Canal, the St. Lawrence Seaway remains committed to meeting market needs and supporting growth in North American industries,” added Mr. Athanasiou.

St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation

Toledo museum celebrates the Christmas Tree Ship’s legacy

On November 23, 1912, the schooner Rouse Simmons sank while carrying Christmas trees. Known as the Christmas Tree Ship, its captain, Herman E. Schuenemann (a.k.a. “Captain Santa”), was known for giving trees to families in need.

The story of the ship’s history and captain is the inspiration behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes annual Community Giveback Event—The Christmas Tree Ship, presented by The University of Toledo Medical Center. Enjoy free museum admission all day long and make memories that last a lifetime! Watch Santa arrive at the museum’s dock aboard a Geo. Gradel Co. tugboat delivering a Christmas Tree into your hands or the hands of someone in need.

Community Giveback Day Itinerary

    10 AM – 5 PM: Museum Admission Free All Day

    11 AM: Enjoy the East Toledo Holiday Parade

    1:15 PM: Watch the Ship’s Journey to the Museum via Livestream

    1:30 PM: Santa Arrives to the Museum’s Docks

    1:45 – 3:45 PM: Meet and Greet with Santa

Not able to join in person? Tune into our Facebook page around 1:15 p.m. for a livestream of the ship’s journey down the Maumee River. Get a tour of the Christmas Tree Ship, learn more about the story that inspired our event, and meet the individuals onboard, including Santa!

Read more here: https://nmgl.org/event/christmas-tree-ship24/

Federal funding for Windsor’s Sterling Fuels to bring biofuels to the Great Lakes shipping industry

Chris Campbell
CTV Windsor News 

Updated Nov. 12, 2024 5:52 p.m. CST

The federal government announced on Tuesday it’s investing over $25 million towards four Ontario projects, funded under the Green Shipping Corridor Program, including a multi-million-dollar project at Sterling Fuels in Windsor.

Minister of Transport Anita Anand said the funding was meant to establish green shipping corridors and reduce emissions across the Great Lakes region, while supporting shore-power and alternative fuel solutions in the marine sector.

“We need to do what we can to lower emissions, and we need to ensure that the marine transportation sector is sustainable at the same time,” Anand said.

“This is good news for the economy. This is good news for the environment. And this is recognition that in order to grow your economy, you need to have a plan for environmental protection and sustainability.”

Officials said decarbonizing the marine sector is a crucial part of the Canadian government’s climate action plan. By upgrading port infrastructure and promoting the use of cleaner technologies in vessels, they said Canada is leading the way in reducing the environmental impacts of shipping.

“Our ports are essential gateways to Canada’s economy,” Anand said in a news release.

“These innovative projects will help us protect our planet, build a greener economy for Canadians, reduce emissions and keep our communities connected.”

According to Anand, the money will go towards projects in Windsor, Hamilton, Port Colborne and Port Algoma Sault Ste. Marie.

Sterling Fuels will receive up to $4.9 million in funding as part of a $10 million project to reconfigure existing infrastructure in Windsor and build additional fuel infrastructure at its facilities in Hamilton.

The project will see $6 million invested in the Sterling Fuels facility in west Windsor on Russell Street along the Detroit River, to bring biofuels to the market for use by vessels in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Sterling Fuels President Peter Kelly noted work has already begun at the Windsor facility and could take a couple of years to complete.

“Our Windsor facility is strategically positioned at the prime location for fueling Great Lakes vessels traveling north to get their cargoes,” Kelly explained.

“On Windsor Port Authority property, Sterling will add infrastructure to receive biofuels by rail into existing storage tanks. This new infrastructure, along with utilizing existing capabilities, will allow Sterling to customize various fuel blends, specific to the requirements of each vessel.”

Kelly continued, saying marine diesel currently being used is like normal truck diesel. The new fuel they are moving to is soybean-based, reducing emissions by around 80 per cent.

“It’s not only important for our organization, but I think it’s important for the entire marine industry in particular, because it now builds the infrastructure so that we can bring biofuels to the market and make them a sustainable fuel of the future,” said Kelly.

Windsor Port Authority President and CEO Steve Salmons welcomed the announcement, saying there’s been $150 million invested in the future expansion of Port Windsor over the last two years.

“This is huge,” Salmons exclaimed.

“It’s a huge advancement in the decarbonization of our economy, of transportation and getting the right product at the right place to the right people to utilize this incredible technological advancement.”

River challenges could shift shipping demand to Great Lakes

November 12, 2024

By Jake Zajkowski, OCJ field reporter

When thinking of grain shipment, the Mississippi River system, ports on the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Northwest often come to mind — locations closest to U.S. agriculture trade partners around the world.

However, the Great Lakes region and its farmers benefit from a unique, efficient shipping trade route from the heartland of America to the Atlantic Ocean: the St. Lawrence Seaway. Despite often being overlooked, the seaway has consistently played a crucial role in global grain trade, reaching from Duluth, Minnesota to Baie Comeau, Québec in Canada.

In 2023, nearly 10.5 million tons of grain — roughly 424 million bushels — was exported through the St. Lawrence Seaway, according to tonnage reports from The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. The seaway provides a streamlined, direct supply chain for exporters, ensuring quicker transit times and reducing logistical complexity.

“Grain is inspected, elevated into silos and sometimes loaded directly onto a vessel. It doesn’t get any more direct than that—field to vessel with minimal handling,” said Joe Cappel, vice president of business development at the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.

Ports like in Toledo are well positioned and close the farmgate. This waterway excels in bulk grain shipments, leveraging the region’s extensive port network.

“Usually, there’s less transloading of the material as well, with Great Lakes ports being closer to the fields,” Cappel said.

Toledo is one of four main U.S. grain ports on the Great Lakes, with The Andersons and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) at the heart of its operations. Both companies have facilities at the Port of Toledo, supporting grain producers across northwest Ohio. Headquartered in Maumee, The Andersons has a storage capacity of 32 million bushels in the Toledo area, while ADM’s 28 grain silos along the river provide nearly 9.8 million bushels of storage.

“There is a lot of opportunity to do more on the Great Lakes. We are nowhere near our capacity, while these coastal ports are bumping up right against it,” Cappel said.

For Toledo, export numbers typically remain consistent year to year. However, 2023 saw a decline to only 1 million net tons, a 32% decrease from 2022. Data recorded during August 2024 from the Toledo Port Authority shows nearly 182,000 short tons exported, down 67.4% from the same period last year.

Port leadership anticipates much more grain movement out of current storage, given the strong Midwestern supply expected this harvest season. The busiest time for the port is October through December, while Great Lakes shipping is largely halted from Jan. 1 to March 1.

In 2024 so far, the Port of Toledo has seen seven overseas vessels and 259 lake vessels carrying various products, including coal, grain, iron ore, petroleum and dry bulk items, according to Toledo Port Authority. 

This month, the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) has faced reduced barge drafts and tow sizes due to low water levels, worsening in October from drought conditions despite high supply across the Corn Belt. According to the USDA, 60% of grain — wheat, soybeans, corn — moves through the Mississippi River via barge, posing a potential threat to future marketing strategies.

According to the National Weather Service, the low-water threshold begins at -5 feet below zero gauge. For the Mississippi River at Memphis, Oct. 28 is predicted to reach -9 feet below the river standard. DTN Ag reports that for each foot the river level decreases, a barge’s cargo must be cut by 200 tons, increasing costs while shipping less freight downriver.

Although no reports have yet emerged, if river terminals stop taking grain, costs could be passed down to farmers, weakening local basis prices for producers.

This challenge may create opportunities for Toledo, raising the question of how the Great Lakes could step in for export officials.

“If exporters ever wanted to switch from shipping containers through coastal or river ports, they could certainly consider bulk shipping through the Great Lakes,” Cappel said.

The open storage availability of the St. Lawrence Seaway is not a new development. In 2022, severe drought on the Mississippi River limited barge routes. At the same time, port strikes along the U.S. East Coast in early October disrupted container shipments of agricultural products.

Great Lakes shipping routes remained unaffected.

Ports like Toledo play a key role, often serving as backups during disruptions, helping relieve congestion at major U.S. ports and adapt to global trade shifts by efficiently rerouting goods. The region faces plenty of global demand, holding capacity and farmers who can meet the demand, said Peter Hirthe, international trade specialist for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

“This year, the demand for U.S. wheat is back up due to its quality,” Hirthe said. “On the U.S. side, we’re up about 55% (exporting) because of significant overseas demand for U.S. wheat.”

And it is not just corn, wheat and soybeans in Toledo anymore. There are shifts to oats, canola, alfalfa and byproducts like distillers’ dried grains and soy meal.

However, high shipping costs, the need for empty container ships to travel into the Great Lakes and domestic demand to crush beans in-state for biofuels present trade-offs. Shipping faces capacity challenges because there aren’t enough empty ships available. Unlike barges on rivers, ships on lakes need to arrive with cargo to transport grain cost-effectively, complicating the search for available vessels, Hirthe explained.

“We really need more ships coming in. It’s really the imports that typically drive the export capacity of the lakes,” Hirthe said. “To take more out, you need more coming in so that the ship is in the lakes and can be filled.”

While shipping rates can be higher, Toledo’s central location offers flexibility. Operators can ship by water, rail to the Gulf or truck domestically, with profitability varying each year.

“We’re trying to grow inbound utilization — more ships — and look for new products and supply chains. With new factories in the Midwest, we could make some of those factories bring in products to support them or more,” Hirthe said.

It’s not just exports to markets in Europe or Northern Africa — agricultural products are also imported into Toledo for local food processing. Great Lakes ports serve as strategic hubs for grain storage between the U.S. and Canada. The Great Lakes provide access to 16 key trade ports in the region, including four that handle grain, with major hubs in Duluth, Minn.; Milwaukee, Wisc.; Oswego, New York; and the Port of Toledo. For example, Mondelez, the largest soft wheat flour mill in North America, located in Toledo, supplies Nabisco bakeries across the continent.

The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp is working to bring shipping capacity to the lakes and companies like the Andersons develop end-user demand. Both could be creating increased opportunity for farmers in northwest Ohio and agriculture trade for the region.

“The local basis price is driven by end-user demand our goal is to build strong opportunities for farmers in our core markets, such as in Northwest Ohio,” said Blake Haudan, vice president of trade and processing for The Andersons. “As demand increases, the Port of Toledo has become more attractive for moving grains through the Great Lakes.”

Mariners’ Church of Detroit holds 59th annual Great Lakes memorial service

DETROIT – Mariners’ Church of Detroit held its 59th annual Great Lakes Memorial Service on Sunday.

The occasion honors and remembers 30,000 people who have died in the Great Lakes and on Michigan’s waters over the years. The somber tradition remembered the more than 6,000 Great Lakes shipwrecks and thousands of sailors who have lost their lives.

“I’m very patriotic. I’m very emotional when it comes to things like this,” said Patti Mitrowski, who serves in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. She also retired from the as a U.S. Coast Guard officer after serving 27 years. “I think this is one way of saying, ‘Thank you.’”

Each death a reminder of how risky the open waters can be whether a sailor, maritime professional or someone recreationally enjoying the waterways. The church also shares a connection to the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald which is memorialized in Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The annual service is held on the date it sunk.

“As Gordon Lightfoot’s song said, ‘We’re the Maritime Cathedral.’ So, we feel a pretty big responsibility to honor those sailors because of the loss that means for — not just their families — but for the community,” Rev. Todd Meyer said.

The service not only looks to the past, but the future. Their prayer? That there will be no more wrecks and deaths on the lakes ever again.

“As a church, we are trusting in God that He would protect our sailors and — thanks be to God we’ve had very few wrecks that have taken life since the 60s it’s gone exponentially down so we continue to pray and a lot of that has to do with technology and weather forecasting, but we also just ask God to protect,” the pastor said.

View a video here: https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2024/11/11/mariners-church-of-detroit-holds-59th-annual-great-lakes-memorial-service/

Click On Detroit

Edmund Fitzgerald crew remembered at Whitefish Point Sunday

Whitefish Point, MI – The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony was held at 7p.m. Sunday at Whitefish Point.

Forty-nine years ago, the Fitzgerald sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on Nov. 10, 1975, in a severe storm.  As a part of the ceremony, the names of each crew member was read, with the Fitzgerald’s bell rung for each one.  The bell was rung one final time for all mariners lost at sea.

The entire crew of 29 men lost that night:

Michael Armagost

Frederick Beetcher

Thomas Bentsen

Edward Bindon

Thomas Borgeson

Oliver Champeau

Nolan Church

Ransom Cundy

Thomas Edwards

Russell Haskell

George Holl

Bruce Hudson

Allen Kalmon

Gordon MacLellan

Joseph Mazes

John McCarthy

Ernest McSorley

Eugene O’Brien

Karl Peckol

John Poviach

James Pratt

Robert Rafferty

Paul Riippa

John Simmons

William Spengler

Mark Thomas

Ralph Walton

David Weiss

Blaine Wilhelm

A few family members of the Fitzgerald crew, along with dignitaries, special guests and US Coast Guard members attended.  More than 2,000 people viewed the live feed on YouTube with many more on Facebook.

Mike Fornes, singer of the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, provided the music including the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” song.  Fornes also read the invocation and benediction.

Executive Director of the GLSHS Bruce Lynn, provided opening remarks and introductions. Author, historian and researcher John U. Bacon, who is writing a new book about the Fitzgerald,  reflected on the work of those who workon the Great Lakes and those who died that fateful day on eastern Lake Superior.

Senior Chief Boatswains Mate, Kyle Rice, USCG Sector Northern Great Lakes, provided the “Call to Last Watch,” a reading of crewmember names, with the Fitzgerald’s bell rung for each. The bell sounded one final time for all mariners lost at sea.

For next year’s 50th anniversary, Lynn said a bigger event is in the making, with part of it open to the public during the day.

The ceremony can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/1Yg0pFLGIcQ

Jim Lehocky

Montreal Port Locks Out Dockworkers, Adding To Canada’s Supply-Chain Woes

November 10, 2024

By Curtis Heinzl

Nov 10, 2024,(Bloomberg) –Longshoring activity at the Port of Montreal is set to grind to a halt as an employers’ group locks out 1,200 union members.

The escalation of an ongoing labor dispute will disrupt Canada’s second-largest port, which typically handles nearly C$400 million ($288 million) of goods a day. It has been operating far below its container-handling capacity since dockworkers at two terminals walked off the job on Oct. 31. The union also held a full one-day strike in late October.

The Maritime Employers Association gave the Longshoremen’s Union a deadline of Sunday at 8 p.m. New York time to respond to an offer that included about a 20% pay raise over six years. The total average compensation of a longshore worker would rise to more than C$200,000 per year by the end of the contract, the employers’ group said.

But union members were nearly unanimous in rejecting that offer, according to a statement Sunday. The union has pointed out that in October, US dockworkers secured a 62% raise over six years.

“The Maritime Employers Association deplores the negative outcome of the vote held by the Montréal Longshoremen’s Union on the final and comprehensive offer tabled on Thursday, and has no choice but to declare a lockout as of 9 p.m. this evening,” the MEA said in a statement Sunday. The two sides have been without a collective agreement since Dec. 31 of last year.

A few services, including a Viterra grain terminal, would continue operating, the port said last week. 

The Montreal Port Authority has asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to put an end to the labor dispute. “I believe that the best agreements are negotiated at the table. But let’s face it, there are no negotiations,” Julie Gascon, the port authority’s chief executive officer, said Thursday.

On Canada’s west coast, a separate labor dispute is already disrupting an estimated C$800 million of activity per day. British Columbia dock employers locked out workers on Nov. 4 after a union posted notice of a strike action that would refuse overtime work.

Canadian Labor Minister Steven MacKinnon said Nov. 7 that the government supports negotiations, but said talks in both British Columbia and Montreal were “progressing at an insufficient pace, indicating a concerning absence of urgency from the parties involved.”

Rye seeds rescued from 146-year-old shipwreck could revive crop in Michigan

EAST LANSING, MI – A Michigan distilling company dedicated to agritourism and storytelling in its whiskey went to the depths of Lake Huron in the hopes of resurrecting an old rye variety.

Mammoth Distilling and Michigan State University are teaming up to bring back what’s now known as Bentley rye, according to an article from MSU Today.

Rescued from the 1878 shipwreck of the wooden schooner James R. Bentley – one of a few privately-owned shipwrecks in Michigan waters after the owner won a court case with the state – the rye rested in near-freezing water for 146 years, the report said. On Sept. 17, two divers went 160 feet to the bottom of Lake Huron and extracted seeds using a special tube. The seeds were put on ice and rushed to MSU where Eric Olson, an expert in wheat breeding and genetics, tried to get them to germinate.

They didn’t germinate. But that’s not the end of the story. “The seeds aren’t dead at all,” Olson told MSU Today.

Olson is now working to extract DNA from the seeds, which will allow him to compare them to modern rye varieties, determine its origin, sequence the chromosomes and transfer them into a modern rye variety, essentially reviving this historic rye, the report said.

The goal is to use the Bentley seeds to create a new variety of rye for distillers, something that could inspire a Michigan rye trail in the vein of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Chad Munger, owner of Mammoth Distilling, told MSU Today.

“The Michigan Rye Trail will be more than just visiting distilleries all over the state that are making Michigan rye whiskey,” Munger told MSU Today. “We want people to know where their grain came from – and that’s proudly grown in Michigan.”

MLive

View a video here: https://www.mlive.com/life/2024/11/rye-seeds-rescued-from-146-year-old-shipwreck-could-revive-crop-in-michigan.html?outputType=amp

From Iconic Ocean Liner to Artificial Reef: SS United States to Set Sail on Final Journey

Mike Schuler

November 8, 2024

The iconic SS United States, once the pride of America’s maritime fleet, is embarking on its final voyage – not across the Atlantic, but towards a new life as the world’s largest artificial reef off the coast of Florida.

The ship’s final journey is set to begin on November 14th, with tugs positioning themselves next to the ship in preparation for high tide. The following day, the SS United States will be towed down the Delaware River, passing under several bridges that will be temporarily closed. The approximately 14-day journey to Mobile, Alabama, will take the ship relatively close to shore to avoid ocean currents that could delay the tow and burn excessive fuel.

Last month, the SS United States Conservancy formally transferred the title of the historic ocean liner to Okaloosa County, Florida, following a prolonged legal dispute with the ship’s pier landlord that ended with a court-ordered settlement requiring the vessel to vacate its Philadelphia berth.

“Converting the world’s fastest ship into the world’s largest artificial reef will write a new chapter for the SS United States as a world-class destination,” said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy. This decision came after numerous unsuccessful attempts to find a viable option for preserving the ship in its current form.

The $10.1 million project marks a significant turning point in the ship’s storied legacy, offering an innovative solution for preserving the vessel that has been docked in Philadelphia since 1996.

The SS United States, launched in 1951, holds a special place in maritime history. It still holds the transatlantic speed record and has a rich history of transporting presidents, celebrities, and immigrants. During the Cold War, it was designed as a convertible troop carrier capable of transporting 14,000 troops 10,000 miles without refueling.

Once in Mobile Bay, the ship will undergo extensive environmental remediation, expected to take about 12 months. Following this, it will take an additional six months to a year for deployment as an artificial reef off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach.

From The SS United States Conservancy
America’s Flagship

The American public enthusiastically embraced the SS United States, which became known as “America’s Flagship.” Throughout the 1950s, people from around the world booked accommodation on the world’s fastest ship. Familiar names of the day, including Bob Hope, Princess Grace of Monaco, Salvadore Dali, Rita Hayworth, Harry Truman, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Duke Ellington headlined the ship’s passenger lists. For those far inland or disinclined to travel, the United States came to them through news reports and even the cinema: the ship became a ocean-going movie set for feature films such as Walt Disney’s Bon Voyage!, Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, and Munster, Go Home!

Even after the introduction of the commercial jet liner in 1958, the ship operated at capacity during the summer high season, but as the 1960s dawned, financial trouble loomed on the horizon. The United States Lines frequently endured both labor disputes and annual wrangling with the federal government over operating subsidies. The industry itself was subjected to a rapid shift in the way people chose to travel: what air travel lacked in comfort it made up for in speed and fuel economy in an era when oil costs were beginning to skyrocket.

The 1960s proved to be a decade of loss for the United States, symbolically as well as financially. She lost her original running mate in 1964, when the America was sold to foreign interests. Four years later, her main competitors, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were gone as well. Although a new generation of liners, particularly the France and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 were introduced, they both spent a good part of the year on cruise duty, a role for which the United States was ill-equipped. The biggest blow came in 1967, with the death of William Francis Gibbs. His favorite ship, on which he had labored for nearly half his life, only sailed for another two years. In November of 1969, while undergoing her annual overhaul at Newport News, she was abruptly and permanently withdrawn from service.

Note:  
This ship could run at 33 Knots And cross the ocean in 3 Days and I believe her records still hold today.

Lost Mariners Remembrance ceremony being held in Detroit this weekend on Edmund Fitzgerald anniversray

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975 in Lake Superior, in a violent storm on the lake. November can be a turbulent month for weather across Michigan, and gales – very strong winds – are common on the Great Lakes. Intense areas of low pressure can sweep across the Great Lakes region bringing arctic air masses. The relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes can help storms intensify and produce life-threatening conditions.

Posted 8:06 AM, Nov 04, 2024 and last updated 8:24 AM, Nov 04, 2024

The Detroit Historical Society is honoring lost mariners during its annual Lost Mariners Remembrance this weekend in Detroit.

It’s the 25th year the society has held the event, which also marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.

It will start with a lantern ceremony at the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchor, and then Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes, will perform at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be a wreath ceremony, a lost vessel tribute, a final blessing and then the playing of the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public.

Shipwreck Society makes 49th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony closed to the public

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony is always a solemn event, but again this year, it will be closed to the public. Due to the museum’s small size and inability to accommodate the many people who typically want to attend, the decision has been made to keep the event private. This memorial service has always been primarily intended for the families of those lost on the Fitzgerald when it sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on November 10th, 1975.

However, recognizing the wider community’s interest, the Shipwreck Society has upgraded its technology to ensure the memorial can still be experienced by many. The event will be live-streamed, with a link to follow, allowing the public to participate virtually while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for the families attending in person. This combination of preserving the event’s personal nature while expanding access is a thoughtful way to honor the memory of those lost and to include those who wish to pay their respects from afar.

This event will be live-streaming from Whitefish Point starting before 7pm on Sunday, 11-10-2024 and ending after 8pm. Please stay tuned for more information.

There will also be an opportunity to see this event at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI where they will host a simulcast of the broadcast of our stream in real time. If you’re in that area call the MMM at (269) 637-8078 for more information. There has been a flood of questions about the 50th anniversary Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony. We do have plans for a public event that we will release in 2025. Any questions about the 49th event please reach out to:

Seaway tug Robinson Bay to join Maritime Academy fleet

TRAVERSE CITY — After lobbying for about a decade, the Northwestern Michigan College Great Lakes Maritime Academy will officially welcome a new vessel into its fleet early next year. The towing vessel the Robinson Bay will be donated to the GLMA by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) to be used as a training vessel for deck cadets and, possibly, engine cadets.

The boat has a historic legacy. It was built in 1958, an important time in modern Great Lakes shipping history, according to Jerry Achenbach, GLMA superintendent.

The Edmund Fitzgerald was built the same year, and the Mackinac Bridge opened in late 1957. Around this time, the planning began for the Poe Lock at the Soo and the St. Lawrence Seaway opened just after the boat was built, in 1959.

Achenbach informed the board of trustees of movement on the deal in October. Four weeks prior, interested parties received an email instructing them to put a proposal together and explain how the vessel would be used. They wanted to make sure the heritage of the boat would be respected and that it would be used for education.

GLMA has leased a towing vessel since 2020.

Record-Eagle

Lost Mariners Remembrance ceremony being held in Detroit this weekend on Edmund Fitzgerald anniversray

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975 in Lake Superior, in a violent storm on the lake. November can be a turbulent month for weather across Michigan, and gales – very strong winds – are common on the Great Lakes. Intense areas of low pressure can sweep across the Great Lakes region bringing arctic air masses. The relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes can help storms intensify and produce life-threatening conditions.

Posted 8:06 AM, Nov 04, 2024 and last updated 8:24 AM, Nov 04, 2024

The Detroit Historical Society is honoring lost mariners during its annual Lost Mariners Remembrance this weekend in Detroit.

It’s the 25th year the society has held the event, which also marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.

It will start with a lantern ceremony at the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchor, and then Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes, will perform at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be a wreath ceremony, a lost vessel tribute, a final blessing and then the playing of the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public.

Shipwreck Society makes 49th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony closed to the public

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony is always a solemn event, but again this year, it will be closed to the public. Due to the museum’s small size and inability to accommodate the many people who typically want to attend, the decision has been made to keep the event private. This memorial service has always been primarily intended for the families of those lost on the Fitzgerald when it sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on November 10th, 1975.

However, recognizing the wider community’s interest, the Shipwreck Society has upgraded its technology to ensure the memorial can still be experienced by many. The event will be live-streamed, with a link to follow, allowing the public to participate virtually while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for the families attending in person. This combination of preserving the event’s personal nature while expanding access is a thoughtful way to honor the memory of those lost and to include those who wish to pay their respects from afar.

This event will be live-streaming from Whitefish Point starting before 7pm on Sunday, 11-10-2024 and ending after 8pm. Please stay tuned for more information.

There will also be an opportunity to see this event at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI where they will host a simulcast of the broadcast of our stream in real time. If you’re in that area call the MMM at (269) 637-8078 for more information. There has been a flood of questions about the 50th anniversary Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony. We do have plans for a public event that we will release in 2025. Any questions about the 49th event please reach out to:

Lost Mariners Remembrance ceremony being held in Detroit this weekend on Edmund Fitzgerald anniversray

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975 in Lake Superior, in a violent storm on the lake. November can be a turbulent month for weather across Michigan, and gales – very strong winds – are common on the Great Lakes. Intense areas of low pressure can sweep across the Great Lakes region bringing arctic air masses. The relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes can help storms intensify and produce life-threatening conditions.

Posted 8:06 AM, Nov 04, 2024 and last updated 8:24 AM, Nov 04, 2024

The Detroit Historical Society is honoring lost mariners during its annual Lost Mariners Remembrance this weekend in Detroit.

It’s the 25th year the society has held the event, which also marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.

It will start with a lantern ceremony at the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchor, and then Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes, will perform at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be a wreath ceremony, a lost vessel tribute, a final blessing and then the playing of the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public.

Shipwreck Society makes 49th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony closed to the public

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony is always a solemn event, but again this year, it will be closed to the public. Due to the museum’s small size and inability to accommodate the many people who typically want to attend, the decision has been made to keep the event private. This memorial service has always been primarily intended for the families of those lost on the Fitzgerald when it sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on November 10th, 1975.

However, recognizing the wider community’s interest, the Shipwreck Society has upgraded its technology to ensure the memorial can still be experienced by many. The event will be live-streamed, with a link to follow, allowing the public to participate virtually while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for the families attending in person. This combination of preserving the event’s personal nature while expanding access is a thoughtful way to honor the memory of those lost and to include those who wish to pay their respects from afar.

This event will be live-streaming from Whitefish Point starting before 7pm on Sunday, 11-10-2024 and ending after 8pm. Please stay tuned for more information.

There will also be an opportunity to see this event at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI where they will host a simulcast of the broadcast of our stream in real time. If you’re in that area call the MMM at (269) 637-8078 for more information. There has been a flood of questions about the 50th anniversary Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony. We do have plans for a public event that we will release in 2025. Any questions about the 49th event please reach out to:

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite

Thursday prorgram looks at Lost Whalebacks

The Shipwreck Coast’s Lost Whalebacks: The Story of Sagamore and Barge 129

Whaleback ships originated on the Great Lakes in 1888 and in less than ten years, shipyards in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, built 44 of these unique vessels for service as barges and steamships. Bruce Lynn, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) Executive Director, shares the stories of two whalebacks that sank near Whitefish Bay, Sagamore and Barge 129. The GLSHS discovered Barge 129 in 2021 and Bruce will share highlights of how the team locates, documents and identifies shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. The free program begins at 12:30 ET, 11:30 CT, November 7, 2024, at https://meet.goto.com/VirtualVisitorCenter/lostwhalebacks

Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down in October

CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.5 million tons in October, a decrease of 12.3 percent compared to a year ago.  Shipments were 10.1 percent below the month’s 5-year average.

Year-to-date the iron ore trade stands at 41 million tons, a decrease of 2.1 percent compared to the same point in 2023.

Through October iron ore loadings are 5.1 percent above their 5-year average for the January-October timeframe.

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.

View Charts in Gallery Below

Lost Mariners Remembrance ceremony being held in Detroit this weekend on Edmund Fitzgerald anniversray

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank on Nov. 10, 1975 in Lake Superior, in a violent storm on the lake. November can be a turbulent month for weather across Michigan, and gales – very strong winds – are common on the Great Lakes. Intense areas of low pressure can sweep across the Great Lakes region bringing arctic air masses. The relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes can help storms intensify and produce life-threatening conditions.

Posted 8:06 AM, Nov 04, 2024 and last updated 8:24 AM, Nov 04, 2024

The Detroit Historical Society is honoring lost mariners during its annual Lost Mariners Remembrance this weekend in Detroit.

It’s the 25th year the society has held the event, which also marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.

This year’s event will take place Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.

It will start with a lantern ceremony at the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchor, and then Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes, will perform at 6:15 p.m.

There will also be a wreath ceremony, a lost vessel tribute, a final blessing and then the playing of the “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public.

Shipwreck Society makes 49th Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony closed to the public

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society’s Annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony is always a solemn event, but again this year, it will be closed to the public. Due to the museum’s small size and inability to accommodate the many people who typically want to attend, the decision has been made to keep the event private. This memorial service has always been primarily intended for the families of those lost on the Fitzgerald when it sank 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point on November 10th, 1975.

However, recognizing the wider community’s interest, the Shipwreck Society has upgraded its technology to ensure the memorial can still be experienced by many. The event will be live-streamed, with a link to follow, allowing the public to participate virtually while maintaining an intimate atmosphere for the families attending in person. This combination of preserving the event’s personal nature while expanding access is a thoughtful way to honor the memory of those lost and to include those who wish to pay their respects from afar.

This event will be live-streaming from Whitefish Point starting before 7pm on Sunday, 11-10-2024 and ending after 8pm. Please stay tuned for more information.

There will also be an opportunity to see this event at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, MI where they will host a simulcast of the broadcast of our stream in real time. If you’re in that area call the MMM at (269) 637-8078 for more information. There has been a flood of questions about the 50th anniversary Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Ceremony. We do have plans for a public event that we will release in 2025. Any questions about the 49th event please reach out to:

Gales of November  8-9

See flier below. Help support the Lake Superior Maritime Museum Association.

See flyer below.

National Museum offers “Fitzgerald Experience 2024”

Toledo, OH – In honor of the 49th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, the National Museum of the Great Lakes is offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using the lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Tours are offered every half hour from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and from noon – 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 10.

Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event. Go here to buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fitzgerald-experience-2024-tickets-1043046027747?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite