The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Iron ore port shipments reflect pellet production decline

By LEE BLOOMQUIST FOR MESABI TRIBUNE
   As goes Iron Range iron ore pellet production, so goes the iron ore docks in Duluth and Superior.
   Iron ore tonnage shipped from the Port of Duluth-Superior fell 14.9 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.
   Total iron ore tonnage out of the port for the 2025 navigation system was 16,502,877 short tons, according to the port authority.
   That compares to 19,394,793 short tons shipped from the port during the 2024 navigation system, according to the port authority.
   “The shipping season began under a dark cloud of mine layoffs and reduced domestic steel demand, so a decline in iron ore tonnage wasn’t surprising,” Kevin Beardsley, Duluth Seaway Port Authority executive director said. “Then conditions worsened with changes at Algoma Steel, which ultimately resulted in decreased export tonnage to Canada. The combination of those two factors and other market trends made it a tough year. For the whole region’s sake, we’re hoping for a rebound in 2026.”
   Across the entire Great Lakes, year-end iron ore shipments fell 12.8 percent to 43.4 million tons, according to the Cleveland-based Lake Carriers Association.
   The Port of Duluth Superior shipments are a reflection of a difficult year of iron ore pellet production primarily due to idlings at two northeastern Minnesota taconite plants.
   Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.’s Minorca Mine near Virginia was indefinitely idled in the spring.
   Cliffs’ Hibbing Taconite Co. was partially idled, operating only one pellet production line as the taconite plant is running out of crude ore.
   Total iron ore pellet production for the year for all six northeastern Minnesota taconite plants was forecast to be 28.5 million tons, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue Minerals Tax Office.
   That’s a large decline from 34.6 million tons produced in 2024 and 34.5 million tons in 2023.
   Minorca Mine produced 550,000 tons in 2025, far below the nearly 2.6 million tons it produced in 2024, according to the minerals tax office.
   Hibbing Taconite was expected to produce 2.8 million tons, down nearly half from the more than 5.2 million tons it produced in 2024, according to the minerals tax office.
   “It’s unfortunate,” Mike Jugovich, a St. Louis County commissioner and Duluth Seaway Port Authority board of directors vice president said of the shipping tonnage decline. “But it’s the reality of it. With Hibbing Taconite and Minorca Mine down indefinitely, that doesn’t seem to be what we’re looking for. Hopefully, Mesabi Metallics starts producing in 2026, but we want everyone to be at full capacity. We’re looking for better things in the future.”
   On the bright side, United States Steel Corp.’s Minntac Mine in Mountain Iron and Keetac in Keewatin ran throughout the year.
   But the company ended up in a legal dispute with Canadian steelmaker Algoma Steel.
   Algoma Steel refused to take pellets from U.S. Steel produced at its Minnesota Ore Operations under a 2020 contract that extended to 2027, according to the Northern Ontario Business Journal.
   U.S. Steel then filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Algoma in Pittsburgh, according to the business journal.
   Algoma Steel sought to have the contract voided in an Ontario Superior Court of Justice, according to the business journal.
   A Western District of Pennsylvania judge in December denied an Algoma Steel motion to dismiss the lawsuit and send the case to arbitration, according to the business journal.
   U.S. Steel claimed the missed iron ore pellet payments would potentially put the company out of pocket close to $100 million over the term of the contract, according to the business journal.
   Algoma Steel on Jan. 17 announced the decommissioning of its blast furnace #7 and three coke batteries as the company converted to electric arc furnace steelmaking.
   Blast furnaces use iron ore pellets to make steel.
   Electric arc furnace steelmaking uses higher-grade iron products such as hot-briquetted iron and scrap to make steel.
   Algoma Chief Executive Officer Michael Garcia said decommissioning of the blast furnace was due to a unprecedented 50 percent tariff on steel as imposed by the United States.
   The tariff closed off a steel market essential to the company’s viability and accelerated electric arc furnace plans that had for years been in the works, he said.
   Along with the blast furnace and coke battery closures, Algoma Steel announced plans to layoff 1,000 workers in 2026, according to the Northern Ontario Business Journal.
   At the Port of Duluth-Superior, iron ore export tonnage to Canada declined by about 2.5 million tons in 2025 year-over-year, according to the port authority.
   Domestic iron ore tonnage declined 3.8 percent year-over-year from 13.7 million tons to 13.2 million tons, according to the port authority.
   And iron ore exports from the port to countries other than Canada climbed to nearly 100,000 short tons from 11,074 short tons in 2024, the port authority said.
   Cleveland-Cliffs’ United Taconite in Eveleth and Forbes and Northshore Mining Co. in Babbitt and Silver Bay, ran throughout 2025.

Now available for application! “Mate Tug Class 1” position for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers onboard the tug Demolen

   The job announcement is now open, please find the announcement information below.
   Click on the link below in this e-mail to apply. Also can be found at “usajobs.gov” website.  “DHA” for the general public and “Merit” for current or former federal employees.
   Please see the job announcement links below for XH-5782-11 Mate, Tug, Class 1 position within the Detroit District.  These announcements will be used to fill the vacancy at the Detroit Project Office on the Tug DEMOLEN.
               DUTIES:             

• Ensures vessel is prepared to sail at the scheduled time, is seaworthy, properly crewed and fitted to accomplished assigned mission.
• Serves as timekeeper for the crew members and assists the Master to evaluate the crew’s performance.
• Navigates the vessel during assigned watch.
• Observes weather conditions, forecasts, barometer, wind velocity, and other weather indicators to determine suitableness for operation.
• Works from plans or field notes showing location and extent of work to be performed in removing shoals from channel. Locates area and makes necessary arrangement for accomplishing work.
• Enforces safety regulations and instructs crew both on safety work procedures and work practices peculiar to floating plant.
• Assigns port watches for safety and security of vessel and creates the schedule and insures equitable assignment of these duties to employees.
• Sets port watch schedule for safety and security of vessel. Ensures equitable assignment/rotation of workers.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Conditions of employment
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: a Mate of Self-propelled vessels not including auxiliary sail of less than 500 gross register tons (GRT)upon Great Lakes and Inland Waters (or greater/equivalent).
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Master of towing vessels upon Great Lakes and inland waters (or equivalent).
• Must have a current U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Marine Credential endorsements of: Radar Observer (Unlimited)
• This position is covered by the Civilian Drug Abuse Testing Program. Incumbent is required to sign a DA Form 5019-R. Individual must pass drug test.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical exam AND annual physical due to the physical requirement of the position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued motor vehicle driver’s license.
• This position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain a First Aid Certification
• This position requires incumbent to wear safety equipment and/or use personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
• This position requires Temporary Duty Travel (TDY) up to 75% of duty time.
• Shift work is required during open-water (lake) towing operations.

OVERVIEW:
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates 02/17/2026 to 03/03/2026
Salary $47.96 to – $55.94 per day
Pay scale & grade XH 11
Location 001 vacancies in the following location: Detroit, MI
Remote job: No
Telework eligible: No
Travel Required: 75% or less – You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed: Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type: Permanent
Work schedule: Full-time – Seasonal
Service: Competitive
Promotion potential: None
Job family (Series): 5782 Ship Operating
Supervisory status: No
Security clearance: Not Required
Drug test: Yes
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process: Suitability/Fitness
Financial disclosure: No
Bargaining unit status: Yes
Merit:
Open: 2/17/2026
Close 3/3/2026
Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/857902000

DHA:
Open: 2/17/2026
Close 3/3/2026
Link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/857899800

Memories of sailing for the Ford fleet featured at GLMI dinner April 12

   The Great Lakes Maritime Institute presents its annual dinner at 2 p.m. April 12 at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Featured speaker will be Greg Rudnick, who will talk about his time sailing on the Ford Motor Co. vessels Henry Ford II and Benson Ford. See the flyer posted in the gallery for details. Reservations required by March 31.
[You can see the billing for this in the gallery below]

Make your reservation for a stay on the City of Milwaukee today

It’s time to plan your summer getaway aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee!
   Book a room and spend the night on a floating National Historic Landmark, then explore all six decks of this 95 year old railroad car ferry.
   Step back in time, experience Great Lakes history up close, and make it a stay you won’t forget.

See you aboard! Link to site;  https://www.carferry.com/boatel?fbclid=IwY2xjawQJgrxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJUOWJ6bVljek5zVE8wbVRrc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHp09bZhg2J1_QTU2qcbLcdS7M2ZwXeUqQneAsczgLqjpCmkQQBe_O6-SGKDp_aem_wHFOXWoMgm4wqI_FHzJTSw

Chance to win a trip on a lakes freighter