AGLPA Meetings in Washington DC

This week, members of the American Great Lakes Ports Association met with key leaders and legislators including Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht, and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as part of Great Lakes Day held in Washington DC.

Great Lakes ports are critical to the nation’s economy and are dependent on federal sources to fund important infrastructure improvements. The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) is the primary source of federal investment in the nation’s port infrastructure, and can fund components such as dock reconstruction, rail improvements, road access, storage expansion, and modernization of cargo handling equipment. Since the program’s first round of funding in 2019, over $154 million in PIDP grants have been awarded to Great Lakes ports.

The American Great Lakes Ports Association represents the interests of commercial ports and port users on the United States side of the Great Lakes. AGLPA works to influence public policies with the goal of fostering maritime commerce and related employment in the Great Lakes region.

Sam Hankinson

Mackinac Island Ferry Chippewa Set for Electric Transformation

Funds from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Fuel Transformation program will support the conversion of the Chippewa from diesel to electric propulsion.

The conversion will be the first of its kind thanks to the $3.06 million award, and it will bring the ferry to zero-emissions.

Star Line, now known as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company, will replace two 1988 diesel engines with two brand new electric propulsion motors on the Chippewa, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14,152 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and 887 metric tons of nitrogen oxides over the boat’s lifetime. The project will begin immediately as part of a two- to three-year overhaul that will redesign and modernize the vessel’s hull and appearance.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says, “converting a ferry in the Mackinac fleet to electric will build on our clean-energy leadership and help us achieve the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan to make our state carbon-neutral by 2050. The budget I put forward includes several investments in this space, and today’s ferry grant is another step forward as we build a brighter future for Michigan.”

The grant covers half the cost of the project, which includes installing 1.5 megawatts in shore power infrastructure at the Mackinaw City ferry dock, as electric power upgrades are also planned for the ports of St. Ignace and Mackinac Island.

“This project is a first critical step in the strategy to upgrade and modernize marine transportation in the Straits of Mackinac,” said Director Chris Byrnes of the Mackinac Economic Alliance. “Of course, Mackinac Island is famous for alternative modes of transportation, as cars are not allowed on the island. Everyone walks, rides bikes or horses and, of course, ferry boats, so the island is already a Michigan leader in alternative forms of transportation.”

“We actually have quite a few additional ferries and our plan would be to take that knowledge that we learn by converting to Chippewa and applying it to our other ferries as we go forward with eventually converting pretty much all of our ferries,” Jerry Fetty, CEO of Mackinac Island Ferry Company.

As the primary means of transportation to Mackinac Island, ferries serve about 500 year-round islanders and 750,000 visitors a year, with a summer peak of more than 16,500 a day. During peak months, ferries make up to 125 round trips daily. The 84-foot ferry Chippewa, built in 1962, is expected to carry 250-300 passengers after the electric conversion and MIFC’s concurrent redesign and modernization of the vessel.

The project is the first initiative from the Mackinac Island Transportation Master Plan, conducted by the Michigan Department of Transportation as the key piece of a larger initiative to modernize the ferry fleet and freight ships serving the region. That effort includes transition from fossil fuels, supported by creating local shipbuilding and servicing jobs and a marine industry training hub. The long-term goal is to transition all 138 Upper Great Lakes ships in the 50- to 200-ton range to electric or hybrid-electric power.

In a related move in January, plans to build a new, more efficient, reliable, and environmentally friendly Charlevoix-to-Beaver Island passenger ferry advanced with a $6.63 million federal grant added to a previous $14 million investment from the state.

9&10 News

Coast Guard news releases

The following announcements are all from the United States Coast Guard within the last few days:

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Captain of the Port Lake Michigan will open the Regulated Navigation Area encompassing southern Green Bay Tuesday, March 14 at 7 a.m. CST.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Monday March 13, 2023 the Coast Guard starts breaking ice in the lower St Marys River in preparation for the 2023 Great Lakes commercial
shipping season.

Initially the icebreaking activity will focus on the lower St Marys River, south of Munuscong (Mud) Lake and the Middle Neebish Channel north and east of Neebish Island. As the week progresses, the Coast Guard will extend this icebreaking activity into the southern half of the West Neebish Channel, working from Mud Lake Junction Light north to Moon Island. The Coast Guard will not disturb the ice south of West Neebish Channel Light 45, above the Ferry crossing, or the ice north of Moon Island, below the Ferry crossing.

In the coming weeks, as the March 25th scheduled opening of the Sault Locks approaches, icebreaking activities will encompass all navigable waters of the St Marys River. Recreational users of the ice should plan their activities carefully, use caution near the ice, and stay away from charted navigation areas. If you have questions about local or regional icebreaking activities, you may contact the Vessel Traffic Service at (906) 635-3232 or via email at SOOTFC@USCG.MIL.

World Ship Society report of casualties, demolitions

Vessels with a Great Lakes / Seaway connection reported as a casualty or sold for demolition. Taken from March 2023 issue of Marine News – Journal of the World Ship Society.

Casualty: ONEGO TRAVELLER (92555725) – First Seaway transit 2019 (BABY LEEYN-18, JANA-17, CHANDRA KIRANA-02) – 6,301 / 2002 general cargo ship – Antigua & Barbuda flag – owned by Tudor Shipping, Antigua & Barbuda, took on water in ballast tank and sank in shallow water in the Northeastern Providence Channel off Great Abaco, the Bahamas on 29.12.2022. The 12-man crew got safely ashore with the tops of the superstructure and masts remaining above water. She was carrying fertilizer and steel products from Torino, Finland and New Orleans.

Sold for Demolition: HOLIDAY ISLAND (70041431; Canada) (launched as WILLIAM POPE) – 3,037 / 1971 passenger, ro-ro ship (vehicles) – 1st seaway passage 1971 – By Government of Canada (Transport Canada) (Northumberland Ferries Ltd), Canada to MacIsaac Construction Ltd. and arrived Sheet Harbour, Nova Scotia 22.12.2022 – commenced demolition

31.12.2022 (built at Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON)

MANISTEE (5294307; Canada) (RICHARD REISS-05, RICHARD J. REISS-92, ADIRONDACK-43) – 10,516 / 1943 – bulk carrier self-discharging laker. By Grand River Navigation Co. Inc. to MRC Corp., and arrived Port Colborne, ON, 30.03.2022

Report compiled by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp

Know Your Ships survey

Know Your Ships is asking readers to take a short survey to help chart their future course. You can take the quick survey by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYyWupfE5-AE8Bjss9g2YWVnsZIjlnOFW9LujpoAvFW-KK3Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwAR1sXSvH6h0iiVBuq4rQHYgX25uWzInthKQdqiRXIPuBTjfiDRY7eEeR9Jo

U.S. Coast Guard to deactivate Saginaw Bay regulated navigation area

DETROIT – The U.S. Coast Guard will deactivate the Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, Thursday at 5 p.m.

The RNA will be deactivated due to a less than expected ice season and limited to no ice buildup in Saginaw Bay. Additionally, weather forecasts for the remainder of the 2023 ice season are not favorable for any significant ice formation or conducive to on-ice recreation

More information on the RNA process can be found in the Federal Register at
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/08/11/2017-16997/great-lakesregulated-navigation-areas-and-safety-zones.

USCG

Know Your Ships survey

Know Your Ships is asking readers to take a short survey to help chart their future course. You can take the quick survey by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYyWupfE5-AE8Bjss9g2YWVnsZIjlnOFW9LujpoAvFW-KK3Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwAR1sXSvH6h0iiVBuq4rQHYgX25uWzInthKQdqiRXIPuBTjfiDRY7eEeR9Jo

Anglers, others asked to avoid ice-breaking areas

DULUTH –Anglers and others who use the ice on the Great Lakes for recreation are asked to use caution beginning Monday.

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter SPAR plans to sail from its dock in Duluth in support of an oil recovery exercise.

According to a Coast Guard press release, a track through the ice will start at the Duluth Harbor Entrance. It will then proceed east, down the Superior Front Channel, to the Superior Entrance.

Coast Guard Cutter SPAR will monitor VHF Channel 16 throughout each ice-breaking evolution.

All snowmobile, all terrain vehicle operators, and other recreational users of the ice are asked to avoid associated shipping channels, plan their activity carefully and use caution near the ice.

Ice fishermen, especially, should use caution when placing their ice shacks in proximity to these shipping channels.

More information is available at Sault Vessel Traffic Service at 906- 635-3232 or at SOOTFC@USCG.MIL

The Mining Journal

Know Your Ships survey

Know Your Ships is asking readers to take a short survey to help chart their future course. You can take the quick survey by clicking this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYyWupfE5-AE8Bjss9g2YWVnsZIjlnOFW9LujpoAvFW-KK3Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&fbclid=IwAR1sXSvH6h0iiVBuq4rQHYgX25uWzInthKQdqiRXIPuBTjfiDRY7eEeR9Jo

Seaway Salties Renamed

The following saltwater vessels have been renamed with each having made inland trips and voyages into the Great Lakes/Seaway system.

Skawa IMO 9521853 is now the Cartagena of Liberian registry and flag.
Coe Leni IMO 9453793 is now the BBC Alaska of Liberian registry and flag.
Federal Ems IMO 9229984 is now the NJ Moon of Palau registry and flag.
Federal Leda IMO 9229996 is now the NJ Earth of Palau registry and flag.
Trudy IMO 9415246 is now the Thea G of Portugal registry and flag.
Fairchem Friesian IMO 9363857 is now the Orchid Sylt of the Marshall Islands registry and flag.
Chem Tiger IMO 9287297 is now the Begonia of Tuvalu registry and flag.
BBC Delaware IMO 9357212 is now the Aralia of Liberian registry and flag.
BBC Manitoba IMO 9384320 is now the UAL Manitoba of Portugal registry and flag.
BBC Queensland IMO 9347839 is now the BBC Destiny of Antigua and Barbuda registry and flag.
BBC Tennessee IMO 9435026 is now the Coe Luisa of Antigua and Barbuda registry and flag.
Ebony Ray IMO 9363857 is now the Sinar Mendawai of Singapore registry and flag.

Denny Dushane

Marine Museum acquires vintage SS Keewatin passenger ship

Kingston, ON – A 116-year-old steamship that ferried passengers and goods in the upper Great Lakes is bound for the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston. The museum announced Friday that it had acquired the SS Keewatin from a development group in Port McNicoll, east of Midland, where it has been a museum ship since 2012.

“We’re pleased to steward the Keewatin through the next phase of its life here in Kingston,” Chris West, chair of the museum’s board, said. “The story of the Keewatin is a story of Canada’s creation as a country. It is vital that the ship, which is the last of its kind, be preserved for current and future generations, and our museum has the expertise, facilities and funding to be able to do this.”

Built in Scotland in 1907 and arriving in Canada the following year, the 336-foot Keewatin had to be cut into two pieces to fit through the Welland Canal. After being reassembled in Buffalo, it entered service and for 53 years sailed between Port McNicoll and Thunder Bay, linking the eastern and western railheads and carrying passengers and goods to ports for the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Great Lakes steamship service.

It was retired from service in 1965 and was sold to an American, who kept the ship docked in Douglas, Mich., as a museum for more than 45 years. Skyline International Development bought the 108-year-old freight and passenger liner in 2011 and towed it to Port McNicoll. It was to be the flagship, literally, for a large development that didn’t come to fruition.

Acquiring the Keewatin was a goal of the marine museum once it returned to its Queen Street location.

“We’re pleased to donate this historic and treasured passenger ship to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes to ensure its continued long-term preservation,” Blake Lyon of Skyline Investments, the development company that owns the ship, said. “Kingston is an amazing location for the Keewatin to receive maximum exposure, and the marine museum, with its historic dry dock, is well qualified to maintain the Kee and showcase its important history — a goal we all share.”

Hundreds of volunteers in Port McNicoll spent thousands of hours restoring the ship, the last remaining Great Lakes passenger liner and the last of the Edwardian-era passenger liner steamships. The ship was valued at about $48 million by the Friends of the Keewatin, a group that lobbied to keep the ship in its home port.

The Keewatin is expected to arrive at the museum by early fall and is to be docked in the adjacent dry dock. The ship’s transfer to Kingston required approval from Heritage Canada.

Kingston Whig-Standard

LOGISTEC Announces Strategic Acquisition of Fednav’s Terminal Division

LOGISTEC Stevedoring Inc., a subsidiary of LOGISTEC Corporation (TSX: LGT.A and LGT.B), (“LOGISTEC”), a leading North American marine and environmental services provider, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Canadian and U.S. marine terminal business of Fednav, including Federal Marine Terminals, Inc. and the logistics division, Fednav Direct (collectively, “FMT”), for a purchase price of US$105 million, subject to customary adjustments. This transaction will allow LOGISTEC to strengthen its presence in Canada and the United States and add specialized expertise to its service offering.

FMT has operated terminal facilities at ports in Canada and the United States for over five decades. Recognized as an industry leader in marine terminal operations, it provides stevedoring, handling and warehousing services for bulk, containerized, project cargo, and general cargo. FMT also offers value-added on-carriage services, inventory management, and 24/7 inland cargo transportation in Canada and the United States. For the year ended December 31, 2022, FMT generated revenue of US$89.8 million (approximately CA$116.8 million) with gross margins comparable to LOGISTEC’s marine segment.

The addition of 11 terminals represents a major expansion of LOGISTEC’s network, bringing its total to 90 terminals in 60 ports across North America. The combined network will provide strategic gateways for existing and future customers, allowing LOGISTEC to gain an important foothold in the Great Lakes region and access prime locations in the U.S. Gulf and East Coast regions.

“We are delighted to welcome FMT to continue to grow together across Canada and the USA,” said Madeleine Paquin, President and CEO of LOGISTEC. LOGISTEC and FMT have had a long-standing business relationship for decades and joining forces is a natural fit, as we share the same values. The combined capabilities and expertise of both organizations will create solid synergies to deliver operational excellence to marine shippers across North America.”

“LOGISTEC, a company with cargo handling as its core business, will ensure FMT’s ongoing success and growth, stated Paul Pathy, Fednav’s CEO and President. In the coming years, Fednav will focus on its pure-play shipping business and continue its expansion journey. Known to innovate and provide the highest standard of service for over 75 years, Fednav has an exciting new chapter ahead.”

“As part of LOGISTEC’s ambitious strategic plan to expand its marine services both geographically and operationally, this acquisition will allow us to gain a footprint in new markets in Canada and the USA,” added Rodney Corrigan, President of LOGISTEC Stevedoring Inc. “Our customers will benefit from a large and efficient network, as well as strong expertise from the FMT team, and together, we will continue to offer quality service to contribute to a safe, reliable supply chain.”

LOGISTEC will benefit from FMT’s solid reputation for excellence in marine terminal operations and a team that is well-trained and safety-oriented, using modern equipment to ensure quality services for its customers.

The transaction is expected to close on or about March 31, 2023, subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction will be financed via an increased CA$450 million revolving credit facility, which has been fully underwritten by BMO Bank of Montréal and TD Securities.

TD Securities is acting as sole financial advisor to LOGISTEC in connection with the transaction and Fasken is LOGISTEC’s legal counsel.

FedNav

Long-lost ship found in Lake Huron, confirming its tragic story

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Even for the Thunder Bay area, a perilous swath of northern Lake Huron off the Michigan coast that has devoured many a ship, the Ironton’s fate seems particularly cruel.

The 191-foot (58-meter) cargo vessel collided with a grain hauler on a blustery night in September 1894, sinking both. The Ironton’s captain and six sailors clambered into a lifeboat but it was dragged to the bottom before they could detach it from the ship. Only two crewmen survived.

The gravesite long eluded shipwreck hunters.

Now, the mystery has been solved, officials with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan, said Wednesday. The Associated Press obtained details of the discovery ahead of the announcement.

Read the full article here: https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/03/long-lost-ship-found-in-lake-huron-confirming-its-tragic-story.html?utm_campaign=aanews_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR07JXiyz3viMfHfP5wxGz4pZOzXlj9iwuWt78nIDiJQjaP3QAs28jXBm8s

‘Not just a one off’: Ice cover on Great Lakes hits record lows

CENTRAL LAKE, MICH. – Warm, sunny days in February make Jack King nervous, and the sight from his family’s Antrim County farm of Lake Michigan’s blue, open water remains troubling.

“It’s not a good indicator and it’s very concerning to farmers, especially growers, about what kind of spring we’re going to have,” he said. “When you’ve had a long, cold winter and there’s good ice pack, you’re not worried about having an early spring – having your trees go into bloom before they should.”

If the cherry and apple buds blossom too soon, the risk increases of springtime frost killing fruit before it even gets a chance to grow. Odds are it may happen this season, given winter conditions.

The up-north fruit farmer is among the Michiganders who collectively noticed something happening on the Great Lakes this winter. Or rather, not happening.

Read the full article here: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2023/02/not-just-a-one-off-ice-cover-on-great-lakes-hits-record-lows.html?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter_morning_briefing%202023-03-01&utm_term=Newsletter_morning_briefing

Port Colborne firefighters rescue man from ship’s hold after fall

Using a rope system and a crane, Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services firefighters removed a patient from the hold of a vessel being scrapped at Marine Recycling Corp.

Fire Chief Scott Lawson said a medical call was received at 8:30 a.m. Thursday for someone who had fallen inside a ship at the recycling site on Lake Road.

“At the time of dispatch, we didn’t know where the patient was. Once we found out they were still on board, we upgraded it to a general call because we needed our rope team for access.”

Workers were carrying out asbestos abatement on board the vessel, believed to be the former Lower Lakes Towing Inc.’s Manistee.

“That slowed things down a lot for us. We immediately sent a firefighter on board in full protective gear, including SCBA, to carry out a patient assessment.”

Lawson said the patient was in a “dirty room” and a second firefighter also went on board in full protective gear.

The worker, who fell roughly two metres off a ladder, was wearing insulated coveralls with protective gear, a Tyvek suit, underneath.

“Access was tricky because he was about 10 metres down in the belly of the ship. So we set a rope system to pull him out and a crane to lift him off the ship.”

Lawson said firefighters were decontaminated after the rescue, as was the patient before being handed off to Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics for assessment and transport.

Niagara EMS spokesperson Bryce Brunarski said the male complained of back pain and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.

Welland Tribune

Firefighters extinguish blaze on board Algoma Discovery

A fire suppression system helped starve a diesel fuel fire on board the Algoma Discovery Monday, says Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services Chief Scott Lawson. Lawson said firefighters were called to the east side of the Welland Canal, at the Sinder Dock, just after 9 a.m. for a reported structure fire.

On scene, they discovered the fire was in the engine room of the 36-year-old bulk cargo vessel built in Croatia, about seven to 10 metres below the main deck.

“The vessel was in various stages of evacuation, and we were told there was a diesel spill down in the engine room. Our crews went down for an initial inspection, but there was heavy smoke in the compartment,” said Lawson, describing the compartment as massive.

Port Colborne’s Aerial 1 was set up as a waterway to feed firefighters on board the 222.2-metre-long laker. Fire departments used Welland Canal for water supply.

“The ship has a fire suppression system for the engine room, and we were able to get them (workers on board) to activate it. Once it was activated, it bought us a lot of time.” Lawson said the system uses carbon monoxide to starve oxygen, which fuels fires, in the room.

“Our crews found a small fire that we put out, and we slowly ventilated the room, so any oxygen we introduced didn’t ignite.”

Welland Tribune

Algoma Central Corp. releases 2022 annual report

Excerpt: Customer demand appears to be strong in the Domestic Dry-Bulk segment in 2023 and we are preparing for the fleet to be fully utilized for the year. Higher grain volumes are anticipated, driven by the return of Western Canada grain crop size and the continued demand for Eastern Canada export grain capacity.

In our Product Tanker segment, we expect customer demand to be steady through 2023, although energy markets remain volatile due to on-going hostilities in Europe. Vessel utilization is anticipated to be strong and we currently expect the newly acquired Algoberta to commence domestic operations late in the first quarter when seasonal demand picks up.

Read the full report here (scroll down to View the Press Release: https://www.algonet.com/investor-relations/?fbclid=IwAR2xFAdUh7z1svEelTWTSe6jwZ6haf7-2Qg–nMtBF1tbs_rrY3bmZRR2DE

Canada tightens ballast water regulations

Canada’s Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra last week announced funding of C$12.5m ($9.2m) to launch the Ballast Water Innovation Program, part of its Oceans Protection Plan. The program, a central component of the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance the implementation and enforcement of the 2021 Ballast Water Regulations, will play an important role in further reducing the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River by investing in innovative solutions to ballast water management.

Evidence shows that ballast water management systems are an effective solution in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region, said Transport Canada in a press release. However, most ballast water management systems have been developed for warmer, salt-water conditions typically encountered by ocean-going vessels. Great Lakes regional water conditions are cold, fresh and sometimes heavily sedimented. These water conditions can pose a challenge to ballast water management systems in the region.

To address these challenges and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, the new program will undertake four initiatives.

It will fund research projects that ensure ballast water management systems are optimized for unique water environments in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; aim to provide innovative solutions to ensure the successful implementation of the country’s new ballast water regulations and prevent the entry and spread of invasive aquatic species in the region; enable the government to deepen its technical expertise relating to ballast water management system issues; and inform Canada’s discussions with the US and at the International Maritime Organization towards more compatible rules and increased environmental protections.

Transport Canada is now accepting applications for research funding from Canadian vessel owners and operators, Canadian port authorities, not-for-profit organizations, public-sector organizations and academia until May 10. Approved projects are expected to begin in 2023.

Canada’s 2021 Ballast Water Regulations address its commitments under the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 and require the use of ballast water management systems.

Splash247

Firefighters called to Algoma Discovery at Port Colborne

10 a.m. update: Fire crews have found the seed of the fire and report that it is mostly out. They continue to vent smoke. Fire crews activated the ship’s fire suppression system in the engine room (sprinklers). They also requested foam be used.

Port Colborne, ON – According to Niagara 411 scanner traffic, firefighters were called to the Algoma Central Corp.’s Algoma Discovery Monday just after 9 a.m.  She is laid up for the winter and undergoing maintenance at Wharf 16 just south of the Clarence Street bridge. Preliminary reports indicate the fire is in the engine room area. This is a developing story. Check back for details.

Janey Alexander