Oberstar offloading concludes; Kaye E. Barker heads to Marquette

SAULT STE.MARIE, MI – The grounded cargo vessel Hon. James L. Oberstar began transferring its load to fleet mate Kaye E. Barker Thursday morning as part of recovery efforts following a recent grounding.

The Barker took off around 3,000 tons of limestone, fuel and waste and departed around 5 p.m. for Marquette to unload, according to transmissions made to Soo Traffic. Oberstar remained in the Hay Lake Anchorage as crews work on a temporary hull patch, after which she will go to Marquette to finish the unload. Marquette was the Oberstar’s original destination.

After unloading it is assumed the Oberstar will head to Fraser Shipyards in Superior, WI, for repairs.

The Oberstar has been anchored around 10 miles downriver of the Soo Locks since Sunday afternoon. Interlake Steamship Co., the owner of the Oberstar, stated earlier this week that the freighter had grounded near Johnson Point on the east end of Neebish Island. The Oberstar eventually anchored several miles upriver from that incident.

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) officials said once the load is lightened, divers will be able to assess the damage to the Oberstar. The USCG conducted a pollution watch while flying alongside members of the Canadian Coast Guard in a Canadian helicopter.

Jim Lehocky, Soo Leader

S.S. Badger launches Shoreline Cruises in Manitowoc

The S.S. Badger is offering new ways to enjoy Lake Michigan this summer without making the full cross-lake journey.

The historic ferry is launching shoreline cruises and mini weekend getaways that provide travelers with unique experiences on the water.

Watch the broadcast story here: https://www.nbc26.com/lakeshore/s-s-badger-launches-cruises-in-manitowoc?fbclid=IwY2xjawK3w6dleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFrZ3htQjVYOFFYdzI3UkRzAR7c90QCCgPA2laxskXq0eq9p7ZXiUrEHg9awGB2_-SM5mgA9DLehGGy9Qiogw_aem_i2qxabpNCx1UektfpG0R7g

The first shoreline cruise of the season begins this Saturday. The two-hour trip offers scenic views of the Lake Michigan coastline and activities for passengers of all ages.

“Some of the amenities that we offer are live entertainment, our Badger Bingo which is really what we’re known for, and then we have a game room for the kids as well as a play area, and a movie theater where we show different movies throughout the day,” said Laurie Wrolson, ticket agent for the SS Badger.

Three additional shoreline cruises are scheduled throughout the summer, with mini cruises starting in July.

For those looking for a longer experience, the S.S. Badger also offers weekend getaways that allow travelers to explore both Michigan and Wisconsin shores without the long drive around the lake.

“We do have our round trip mini cruises. Our passengers can travel round trip from Manitowoc to Ludington and then back within 48 hours without a vehicle,” said Purser Lead Charlotte Wodsedalek.

The mini cruises include amenities such as a movie theater, cash bar, meals, Badger bingo, and panoramic shoreline views.

NBC 26

Senator secures commitment for timely completion of Soo Locks construction

WASHINGTON, DC – During a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) secured a commitment from key U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials to prioritize the timely completion of the ongoing Soo Locks construction project. In his questioning, Peters emphasized the importance of this critical project for U.S. economic and national security.

“To put things into perspective, just a six-month unscheduled outage at the Soo would result in an estimated 11 million jobs lost and a $1.1 trillion hit to the economy. I think that’s a classic definition of critical infrastructure,” said Senator Peters during the hearing. “The bottom line is, we need a second Poe-sized lock to alleviate this risk, and I’ve been leading the charge with a lot of my colleagues for quite some time.”

In response, Mr. D. Lee Forsgren, Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army (Civil Works) said, “As you so articulately laid out, it is the backbone of the economy of this country, and we cannot afford as a nation to let that happen. I commit we will be looking at ways forward to enhance that system.”

Peters also applauded the $264 million included in the 2025 Army Corps Work Plan and Budget Request, which he recently led the bipartisan Michigan delegation in advocating for. This funding would allow the USACE to award the final remaining contracts needed to finish the project at their current cost. 

“It was great to see the funding in the work plan allowing us to hit those final three options,” said Lt. Gen. William H. Graham, Jr., Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We’re never going to get better prices than what we had locked in to finish those last three options up at the Soo. I’m heading up there in a few weeks to make sure that there are no surprises up there and that the team on the ground has everything they need to continue to deliver, and I think we’re on track for 2030, which is exciting.”

Peters has prioritized securing the funding necessary to build a new Poe-sized Lock at the Soo Locks. In 2024, he toured the ongoing construction project after helping to secure $257.4 million for the project in government funding legislation. In January 2022, Peters helped to secure $479 million for modernizing the Soo Locks through the bipartisan infrastructure law. In December 2022, he helped pass the bipartisan Water Resources and Development Act as part of the annual national defense bill, including needed funding flexibility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep the New Lock at the Soo project on schedule.

Office of U.S. Senator Gary Peters

ArcelorMittal closing wire drawing mill in Hamilton in latest industry blow

HAMILTON – Canada’s steel industry was hit with further layoff news Wednesday as ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada announced it is closing its wire drawing mill in Hamilton.

The decision puts 153 employees out of work and adds to the hundreds of workers in the industry already hit by a combination of tariff concerns, market demand and cheap imports coming into the market.

ArcelorMittal did not mention the 50 per cent tariffs the U.S. has imposed on Canadian steel products in its decision to consolidate its wire operations in Montreal, but did cite the wider pressures.

“Despite our best efforts, the ongoing economic challenges, increased steel imports in Canada, and market conditions made it clear that we needed to reduce our operating footprint,” said spokesman Jean-Philippe Grou in a statement.

He said the decision came after the company thoroughly looked at the alternatives, and the focus is now on supporting employees.

Mike Hnatjuk, president of United Steelworkers Local 5328 that represents workers at the mill acknowledged the operation was already facing challenges, including steel dumping from China. He said the U.S. tariffs were “a nail in the coffin” for the mill, but that the company said it could have happened anyway.

“They were saying even without, even if the tariffs weren’t here, there is a high possibility that this was going to happen.”

He noted the company relies heavily on the automotive sector, which in Canada is also under intense pressure from tariffs.

Hnatjuk, who expects to begin talks with the company regarding a closure agreement next week, said he’s been told the company plans to stop operations by the end of the month.

“We have stuff in our collective agreement that we hope that they’re going to follow and they’re going to offer and are we most definitely going to try to get what’s best for all this,” he said.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement that she is deeply concerned for the workers affected.

“This is a serious blow to our community, with immediate and lasting impacts on people’s lives,” said Horwath.

“This closure underscores the urgent need for action from the federal government.”

The Canadian Steel Producers Association has been pushing the federal government to fully reinstate retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after it doubled tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50 per cent last week.

Efforts to reverse the tariffs hit a setback Tuesday after a U.S. federal appeals court agreed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs will remain in place while a case is heard. The decision extends an emergency stay granted after a lower court found the devastating duties unlawful.

The steel producers group says more than 700 workers had already been laid off since the 25 per cent tariffs were imposed in March.

Along with countering U.S. tariffs, the group is also pushing for the government to put tariffs on steel products that originate in China because of allegations of unfair government support.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada chief executive Stéphane Brochu said the company’s decision to shut the Hamilton line was necessary to ensure the sustainability its wire drawing business.

“It will allow us to improve our operational efficiency and secure our long-term competitiveness in the demanding wire drawing market,” he said in a statement.

ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada has more than 2,000 employees with operations at multiple sites in Quebec.

The company produces more than two million tonnes of steel that is used in such things as rebar for the construction industry and for leaf springs in light and heavy-duty trucks.

The Canadian Press

Davie to Acquire Texas Shipyards, Seeking to Supercharge U.S. Icebreaker Production

Mike Schuler
June 11, 2025

Canadian shipbuilder Davie announced today its plans to acquire shipbuilding assets in Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas from Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, marking a significant expansion into the U.S. shipbuilding sector.

The acquisition, expected to close in summer 2025, remains subject to various conditions, including negotiations with the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees. For Davie, the move represents a strategic step in addressing America’s critical icebreaker shortage. The U.S. currently operates only three Arctic-ready vessels, while Russia maintains a fleet of nearly 50. Both Russia and China have increased their presence in the region.

“We share a vision with Gulf Copper to make Texas a world-class hub for American icebreaker and complex ship production,” said James Davies, President and CEO of Davie. “Texas is ready to lead a new Golden Age of American shipbuilding—backed by our commitment to delivering ships on time, on budget, and in service of national security priorities.”

The expansion aligns with the recently established ICE Pact, a trilateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Finland announced in July 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance polar icebreaker production while strengthening economic, climate, and national security interests in contested polar regions.

Davie brings significant expertise to the U.S. market through its extensive shipbuilding experience. The company’s Helsinki Shipyard in Finland has contributed to more than half of the global icebreaker fleet, while its Canadian operations have produced over 720 specialized vessels since 1825.

Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale welcomed the acquisition, noting it would mark the return of complex shipbuilding to Galveston and Port Arthur “for the first time in decades”.

The transaction fulfills Davie’s July 2024 commitment to establish a permanent presence in America.

The project includes a planned $1 billion investment to upgrade and expand the Texas facilities, with projections indicating the creation of approximately 4,000 American jobs – 2,000 directly at Gulf Copper and another 2,000 throughout the supply chain.

The acquisition is strategically positioned to support key U.S. initiatives, including the President Trump’s establishment of a Maritime Action Plan, the recently reintroduced Ships for America Act, and the ongoing U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutter program. The Coast Guard’s broader strategic vision includes building a fleet of eight to nine polar icebreakers, supporting the President Trump’s stated initiative to acquire at least 40 new icebreakers.

In April, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from both domestic and international shipyards on the feasibility of building up to three medium-sized icebreakers, with construction starting within a year and launch within three years by utilizing a commercial vessel construction model.

Davie said its production-ready icebreaker designs, which meet U.S. mission requirements, promise faster delivery and improved cost efficiency for American taxpayers.

The acquisition comes as the Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter program, has faced numerous challenges, with construction timelines and costs more than doubling since the initial contract signing in 2019. Construction of the first heavy icebreaker in the program is underway at Bollinger Shipbuilding in Mississippi, with delivery now expected in early 2030—more than six years beyond the initial target.

In March, Davie was awarded a major contract to construct a new polar icebreaker for the Canadian Government, with delivery expected by 2030. The vessel, dubbed the Polar Max, will leverage expertise from Helsinki Shipyard, which Davie acquired in 2023.

Gulf Copper, with over 75 years of experience in marine and offshore industries, currently operates shipyards, dry docks, and fabrication facilities across the Gulf Coast, serving various sectors including oil and gas, marine transportation, petrochemical, and government.

The transaction has garnered support from stakeholders in both Texas and Washington, D.C., as Davie works to expedite the closing process.