Port and vessel activity from Wednesday, July 19, 2023, unless stated otherwise. Please send future port reports to news@boatnerd.net.
Duluth, MN – Superior, WI – Scott Bjorklund
Duluth Entry
Hon. James L. Oberstar departed Duluth empty at 05:11 (Central) Wednesday morning for Marquette, Michigan. Algoma Guardian departed later in the morning at 07:32 with Minntac pellets for ArcelorMittal’s Dofasco works in Hamilton. Finally, Joseph L. Block arrived with a mixed load of limestone from Carmeuse quarries at Port Inland and Cedarville intended for Hallett Dock 5. As of Wednesday late afternoon, Joseph L. Block was unloading at Hallett 5, Philip R. Clarke was loading at CN #6, Paul R. Tregurtha was taking a delay at Port Terminal, and Federal Montreal was unloading at Ash Grove. Joseph L. Block may depart early Thursday morning empty for Marquette. Philip R. Clarke might depart early morning also, but with iron ore pellets. Paul R. Tregurtha will most likely depart sometime Thursday depending on their arrival at SMET for coal. Finally, John G. Munson is expected Thursday evening with stone destined for Hallett Dock 5.
Superior Entry
The only traffic that took place there so far Wednesday was the BNSF dock switch between Stewart J. Cort and Tim S. Dool. Stewart departed at 12:04 (Central) with Hibtac pellets for Cleveland-Cliff’s Burns Harbor mill, and Tim S. Dool arrived at 12:40 to load Hibtac pellets for Dofasco at Hamilton. As of Wednesday late afternoon, Tim S. Dool was the only vessel on the Superior side; they are expected to depart early Thursday morning. Unless orders change, the BNSF dock will get a break from loading vessels until July 21, when CSL Laurentien is due there.
Two Harbors, MN – Gary Putney
American Integrity was inbound Outer Island for the Two Harbors shiploader as of Wednesday evening.
Thunder Bay, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
Baie St. Paul has her sights set a little higher (or Down Under) than her typical trade routes this week. Departing T-Bay with an unknown cargo from Thunder Bay Terminals, the Canadian laker set a most curious AIS destination for her upcoming voyage: Sydney, Australia! Know Your Ships did receive an order from the Oceanic Continent this spring, so perhaps our Baie is on her way to deliver some copies to the Outback boatnerds. A *slightly* more believable explanation finds the vessel on her way to Sydney, Nova Scotia, instead. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time a vessel has listed the wrong Sydney on AIS this year! Algoma Equinox would later arrive for G3 at 08:48, where she will be loading for a decidedly domestic destination in Québec City, QC.
Blacky and Osogovo spent the day at Keefer Terminal and the anchorage, respectively.
Marquette, MI – Noah H.
American Spirit concluded a long stay at the ore dock with her 13:44 departure. It’s the standard for the thousand-footer, with the dock not made with such giants in mind. The Hon. James L. Oberstar and Lee A. Tregurtha are both on their way next, with the westbound Oberstar likely to get their first in the early morning.
St. Joseph, MI – Michael Moran
After a stop at Red Coach Donuts, it was time for a delivery of donuts to the Samuel de Champlain/Innovation. The pair were in town unloading cement and slag at Holcim following a 04:18 arrival. They would clear for Alpena, MI, at 22:17. Donuts were also given to the Holcim terminal crew and their security
Holland, MI – Noah H.
Calumet arrived at 00:32, the second part of two partial stone unloads, the first being in Muskegon on Tuesday. A stop at the Verplank dock and 7 hours later, Calumet departed for Indiana Harbor at 07:27.
Thessalon, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
Manitoulin arrived scenic Smelter Bay for stone at 04:30 Wednesday morning. 71-year-old Saginaw, next in line to load, went to anchor around 14:30. She would have to wait until after 18:00 to proceed to the dock when her fleetmate departed for Fairport Harbor, OH.
Meldrum Bay, ON – Joshua Hebeisen
Algoma Innovator pulled into port at around 19:00 to load up on stone.
Toledo, OH – Bill Kloss
After unloading, Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader departed for Drummond Island. Herbert C. Jackson is out of dry dock and departed to Burns Harbor. Algoma Mariner is at Midwest Terminals.
Marblehead, OH – Bill Kloss
Mark W. Barker loaded stone and departed for Cleveland. After the Barker left, the ATB Defiance/Ashtabula was next to load at Holcim. Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder arrived late Wednesday night and had to go on the hook to wait her turn to load.
Cleveland, OH – Bill Kloss
Sam Laud unloaded at the West 3rd St. stone dock then left for Drummond Island. Dirk S. VanEnkevort/Michigan Trader arrived with 35,000 tons of Tilden pellets for the Bulk Terminal. The tug and barge departed for Stoneport once empty. Mark W. Barker arrived from Marblehead to unload yet more limestone at the West 3rd St. stone dock.
Fairport Harbor, OH – Bill Kloss
Victory/Maumee was a late night arrival with stone for Osborne.
Nanticoke, ON – Bill Kloss
Edwin H. Gott departed for Two Harbors once empty. Atlantic Huron was the next boat to unload ore at Stelco. She left for Superior, WI, once empty. Next up was Algoma Sault. At Imperial Oil, Algocanada is loading and fleetmate Algoterra joined her at the dock.
We do not currently have daily summaries for the following ports, but their respective port authority websites post schedules of vessel traffic that are featured below. Each schedule is a miniature webpage within a box. Scroll with your cursor in the box (or slide your finger within the box on a mobile device) to move through the schedule as you would a normal webpage. To move up or down the actual Port Reports page itself, make sure your cursor/finger is outside of the box.
Green Bay, WI – Port of Green Bay
Click on vessel image for voyage info.
Hamilton, ON – Hamilton–Oshawa Port Authority
Scroll past AIS map for arrival/departure schedule.
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- A fiery sun shines a blazing light on the anchored Algoma Guardian. David Schauer (Duluth, MN – July 18)
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- The Guardian dwarfs a fishing charter while inbound in the fog. Scott Bjorklund (Duluth, MN – July 18)
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- Philip R. Clarke shines some orange, green, red, and purple onto the water below while arriving for a visit to Fraser Shipyards. Scott Bjorklund (Duluth, MN – July 18)
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- The Clarke’s pilothouse gets some fresh paint while the vessel stops for repairs. David Schauer (Superior, WI – July 18)
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- Passengers on the Vista Fleet get a great view of Hon. James L. Oberstar approaching the Duluth Ship Canal with eastern coal. David Schauer (Duluth, MN – July 18)
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- Her cargo ashore, the Oberstar departs at sunrise for Marquette, MI. Douglas Klein (Duluth, MN – July 19)
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- Joseph L. Block arrives in the pouring rain with a split load of stone from Port Inland, MI, and Port Dolomite, MI. Michael Konczak (Duluth, MN – July 19)
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- With a long unload of Turkish cement ahead of her, Federal Montreal covers her eyes to get some much-needed rest. Michael Konczak (Duluth, MN – July 19)
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- A break in the post-thunderstorm clouds produces a picture-perfect rainbow over the Aerial Lift Bridge. David Schauer (Duluth, MN – July 19)
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- Arnold Freight’s cargo vessel Corsair crosses paths with a water spout! Several funnels would appear over the lake after a violent storm passed through. Jimbo Brown (Straits of Mackinac – July 18)
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- As always, a St. Joughnuts delivery is waiting ashore for Samuel de Champlain/Innovation. Michael Moran (St. Joseph, MI – July 19)
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- The tug/barge combo heads out for the lake at twilight. Jennie Schlipp (St. Joseph, MI – July 19)
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- Tug Candace Elise comes off the lake and into Ludington, MI, with liquid tank barge Robert F. Deegan in tow. Spencer Hanson (Ludington, MI – July 19)
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- Algoma Compass heads down the Saginaw River with stone for the second time this season. Todd Shorkey (Bay City, MI – July 18)
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- G.L. Ostrander/Integrity unload cement at Holcim in the shadow of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Are we sure Peter Parker didn’t take this one? Casey Whitson (Detroit, MI – July 19)
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- At long last, classy Herbert C. Jackson exits the Ironhead dry dock after undergoing repairs for two weeks. Shipseekers Photography (Toledo, OH – July 17)
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- Herbie was assisted out of the yard by G-tugs Cleveland (pictured) and Michigan. Shipseekers Photography (Toledo, OH – July 17)
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- Next on the agenda for the classic laker is a trip to Burns Harbor, IN. It’s good to see her back! Shipseekers Photography (Toledo, OH – July 17)
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- She’s back! Mark W. Barker returned to the Cuyahoga River for the second day in a row after loading stone in Marblehead, OH. Bill Kloss (Cleveland, OH – July 19)
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- Towering over the calm canal below, an empty Federal Mosel makes for quite the reflection. Alain Gindroz (Welland Canal – July 19)
