Boat tours returning to Canadian side of St. Marys River

After a decade long hiatus, residents and tourists will soon be able to enjoy boat tours on the Canadian side of the St. Marys River again.

Sault Lock Tours says it is excited to present the ‘Miss Marie,’ a 100-person capacity vessel that recently arrived at the Roberta Bondar dock.

Following Transport Canada regulations, the hour and a half cruise will take passengers out on the waters of Lake Superior and the St. Marys River. The Miss Marie will provide daily tours in the afternoon and private charters in the evening until mid-October. Details of the boat’s exact route are still being finalized, but the tour will include views of the city’s downtown.

Tickets are $44 for adults, $31 for seniors and $12 for children 12 and under.

Soo Today

U.S. petcoke and grain continue to lead the way for Great Lakes-Seaway shipping

Buoyed by strong exports of U.S. petcoke and grain, overall cargo shipments via the St. Lawrence Seaway reached 3.8 million metric tons in July.

Total cargo shipments for the season hit 15.7 million metric tons through July, down 7.65% compared to the same time period in 2021.

Year-to-date shipments of petcoke, which is being used for cement production in Europe, reached more than 1 million metric tons at the end of July, an increase of 46% over last year. Meanwhile, U.S. grain shipments via the Great Lakes-Seaway system totaled 511,000 metric tons from March 22 through July 31, an increase of 37% over the same timeframe in 2021. Much of the increase can be attributed to exports of corn and soybeans.

Bruce Burrows, President & CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce says U.S. grain continues to be sent to Europe and North Africa due, in part, to the disruption of trade patterns caused by the Ukraine-Russia war.

“International and cross-border trade has been a major driver of U.S. Great Lakes-Seaway port volumes during the first half of the shipping season,” Burrows said. “With the new harvests coming through soon, we expect U.S. grain exports through the St. Lawrence Seaway to remain strong as we head into the autumn.”

July was a busy month for the Port of Monroe which began exporting wind tower sections to the Port of Oswego. The project, involving a partnership with terminal operator DRM, Monroe-based wind tower manufacturer Ventower Industries and Michigan tug operator Ashton Marine Corporation, should be completed late this summer. In addition, the Port of Monroe welcomed a new Manitowoc crawler crane which will used to load tower sections. The crane was acquired with funding through the Marine Highway program.

The Port of Toledo reports another positive month with cargo shipments hitting nearly 6 million tons through the end of July. That’s almost 20% above the shipping totals for the same time period a year ago. Grain, iron ore, coal, general cargo and dry bulk are all trending upward.

“It is really amazing the impact that the Cleveland Cliffs DRI plant has had on the Port of Toledo in terms of tonnage, job creation and infrastructure development,” said Joseph Cappel, VP of Business development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “We are also seeing some new grain products and bulk materials in our mix this season. Our strategy of obtaining equipment and constructing facilities that have multiple purposes has worked to our advantage. We are basically positioned to handle any type of cargo that can be loaded onto a vessel at one or more of the marine terminals within the Port of Toledo.”

Led by a sizable iron ore rally, total tonnage through the Port of Duluth-Superior topped 3.8 million short tons in July, the port’s largest monthly total since August 2021. More than 12.6 million tons of waterborne cargo transited Duluth-Superior from mid-March through July 31, which was 13.4% below the five-season average, but also trending positively, with the gap narrowing nearly 5% month over month.

Some 2,537,800 tons of iron ore departed Duluth-Superior in July. This hefty haul lifted the port’s seasonal iron ore total over 7.7 million tons. A companion in taconite processing, limestone also enjoyed a robust July, with 494,096 tons arriving in the port.

“July showed signs of a rebound from what was a slower first half of the maritime shipping season,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director, Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “Demand is strong for many of our port’s key cargoes, so we’re expecting tonnage totals to draw closer to the five-season average through the fourth quarter. Hopefully it’ll be a second-half surge, driven by these favorable market forces.”

At Port Milwaukee, steel imports remain strong. So far this shipping season, steel cargo imports are up 31% compared to 2021. “The significant amount of steel cargo traveling through Milwaukee represents the Port’s critical role in this year’s strong international shipping season,” said Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Director of Port Milwaukee.

Chamber of Marine Commerce

Golf aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker museum ship returns in time for Dana Open

TOLEDO, OH – Beginning Thursday, August 25, the National Museum of the

Great Lakes invites visitors to take a swing (or two!) on our custom built putting greens aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship. Created to celebrate the sport of golf, this year the event boasts not just one, but two putting greens and is scheduled to coincide with the Dana Open Presented by Marathon, an LPGA tour stop taking place nearby in Sylvania, Ohio.

“Spanning nearly 30 ft. across the museum ship’s deck and overlooking the ‘Mighty Maumee’ and Downtown Toledo, the ‘Freighter Golf’ putting greens are both complete with maritime-themed obstacles and aim to challenge and provide fun for any age or skill level,” shares Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s Director of Education and Visitor Experience.

“Freighter Golf” will open for use through Sunday, September 11. Access to the green is included with Museum Ship admission and visitors are being challenged to sink a hole-in-one to take home a special prize and be entered in a drawing for a free museum membership. The putting green and hole-in-one challenge will be open for visitors during the regular museum hours of 10 a.m – 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon – 5 p.m. Sunday. For additional information visit nmgl.org or call 419-214-5000.

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Port Of Oswego continues tonnage increase over 2021: 187,210 tons shipped and $1.3 million in payroll to-date

OSWEGO, NY – Maritime activity and positive economic impacts at the Port of Oswego (POA), continues to grow at a record pace this year and support and create jobs for the area, said William W Scriber, POA executive director and CEO.

“As of July 31, the Port has increased tonnage this year by 95% over 2021 tons delivered and loaded from our dock between January and July,” Scriber said.  “Last year during this period, our total tonnage was 95,983, which is still is a major accomplishment in Great Lakes shipping. This year, at this point, it’s 187,210 tons—and growing.  Since April, the Port has yielded more than $1,322,558 in local payroll and benefits through July 31.

“Our surge in maritime business has elevated the Port of Oswego to ‘major player’ status in Great Lakes shipping this year,” said Francis Enwright, POA board chair. “Our increased intake tonnage in wind turbine components and aluminum have been astounding, while the grain shipments we’ve been making keep more than 100 local farmers bringing their grain to Oswego while these shipments ease the strain on the global supply chain.”

“It’s important to note that the Port is self-sustaining and does not rely on tax dollars,” Scriber said. All operations are funded by the Port’s revenue, so it depends upon itself to operate, grow, and thrive rather than tax dollars. The economic benefit from the Port has a positive impact on the local and regional economy when it purchases diesel, forklifts, gas, hardware, and other equipment. The Port’s revenue supports its operations, but also supports local jobs and local businesses right here in the Oswego community.

“Anyone who lives in Oswego can see the increased economic activity this year. In fact, there are one or two different vessels docked to unload or take on cargo here nearly every week. We’re actively engaged in three different contracts for wind turbine projects around the state, and we’re taking in vital aluminum for production at Novelis in Oswego. All are delivered, stored, and transported from the Port, which adds to the local economy and the expansion of commercial business.

“At one time the Port of Oswego was one of the major ports in the Great Lakes creating a large number of jobs and supporting commercial growth for the City of Oswego and central New York.  As markets changed and other ports made substantial investments in their operations, the Port of Oswego declined in trade and business.

“The good news is the Port of Oswego is back strong with increases in business and investments that are designed to help the Port be more competitive in the new Great Lakes marketplace.  Just this week, the port awarded a $1.2 million dollar contract to a local contractor to upgrade a part of the port’s east dock, including a new section of rail.” Scriber said.  “Plus, our investments in our marina which contributes an estimated $2 million to the tourism traffic in Oswego, makes the port a major economic powerhouse to the local economy.

“The Port of Oswego means business about bringing business to Oswego and central New York.  We have worked hard to turn around the port, which the U.S. Department of Transportation has recognized by designating it—one of only 32 in the United States—as a Marine Highway. This designation makes the Port of Oswego a key logistics partner in the Great Lakes shipping industry.  We are the first deep draft harbor on the Great Lakes and the only New York State port on Lake Ontario that can unload international tonnage without passing through the Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada (which connects Lake Ontario and Lake Erie) or being delivered at an ocean coastal port.”

The historical port is also home to the Oswego Marina, the H. Lee White Marine Museum, historic maritime district, and fourteen companies that call it home for its domestic and international operations. The Port of Oswego’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Northeastern North American shipping market, puts them less than 350 miles from 60 million people. As a result of its productivity , the Port of Oswego supports 209 local jobs, $26.7 million in economic activity, and $13.8 million in personal income and local consumption expenditures, Scriber said.

Oswego County Today

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.

Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). 

By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.

MHSD

New 92-foot ferry christened in Manitowoc

MANITOWOC, WI – There’s a new way to break the ice and travel the St. Mary’s River in the UP.

On Saturday, Burger Boat Company hosted a christening ceremony in Manitowoc to celebrate the completion of its newest commercial vessel: NEEBISH ISLANDER III. Organizers explained that this new vessel is a vehicle and passenger ferry built to operate in the harsh winter environment and through the solid ice conditions it will encounter on its route.

The 92-foot U.S.-made steel ferry will operate year-round on the St. Marys River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula between Barbeau and Neebish Island.

“It’s an actual honor. It keeps our guys busy building the high-quality boats that we’ve been doing here since 1863,” shared Burger Boat Company Sales Marketing Vice President, Ron Cleveringa. “They love bringing their friends and family in to see what they have done, it’s actually an honor for all of those guys.”

The NEEBISH ISLANDER III joins another ferry that is already operating on the same route.

WeAreGreenBay

The Wolverine and The Sable: The Lake Michigan ships that helped the allies win World War II

Thousands of Michiganders put their lives on the line to support the allies during World War II. Though the fighting was held off American soil, Lake Michigan also played a key role in the fight.

Lake Michigan served as the home for two aircraft carriers — the USS Wolverine and the USS Sable — to train the pilots desperately needed in the fight.

The Wolverine and the Sable were two of the most unique ships to ever serve in the U.S. Navy. Two side-wheeled steamer cruise ships, quickly bought, renovated and launched to help with the war effort.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.woodtv.com/news/michigan/the-wolverine-and-the-sable-the-lake-michigan-ships-that-helped-the-allies-win-world-war-ii/

Grand Rapids NBC 8

Shipmaster’s Fund Scholarship recipient hopes to become first female First Nations captain

 PORT HURON, MI – Cadet Jackie Day has a dream of becoming the first female First Nations ship captain. The Aamjiwnaang First Nation resident will soon be finishing out her last year in the Marine Navigation Technology Program at Georgian College in Owen Sound, Ontario, with support from a Blue Water Shipmaster’s Fund Scholarship.

The Port Huron-based fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2004 by Captain James C. Acheson in partnership with the International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA) Lodge #2 to support local students attending the Deck or Engineering program at either the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Great Lakes International Marine Training Giving Center Grants Scholarships Key Programs Centre, Georgian College, or St. Clair County Community College’s transfer program. Typically, awards of $1,000 are given from the fund each year, but due to no applicants in 2020 and 2021, Day was awarded a $3,000 scholarship.

She has been enrolled in Georgian’s program for three years, but her journey to the sea began more than 25 years ago. When she was a young college student taking law and security classes, a co-op summer placement at the Ontario Provincial Police Marine Detachment sparked her interest. But she had just gotten pregnant with her first child and life took her in other directions

“I worked a lot of different jobs,” Day said. “I was a teacher’s aide, a security guard, a receptionist, a casino dealer, a private investigator … but nothing ever really worked for me. I never loved any of them. I would find myself moving on within three years.”

But she still thought about a career on the water, and once her kids were older she began pursuing it. She began by applying for the Canadian Coast Guard, but without experience she couldn’t get in. In 2011, she attended Georgian and received a Marine Emergency Duties Certificate, but it still took her another three years to get into the Coast Guard, finding a position, not as a deckhand, but as a steward serving meals and cleaning cabins.

I was thrilled, Day said. “I figured at least it got my foot in the door.” Less than a year later she had worked her way up to chief cook, working on the Canadian Coast Guard/Royal Canadian Mounted Police vessels. Although she enjoyed cooking, it was still not where she wanted to be.

‘I wanted to be a captain one day, the first female First Nation Captain … that was my dream, Day explained. “So I made the hardest decision to go back to school and take the Marine Navigation Program at Georgian College.”

Since then, she’s been working hard toward that dream. Her program includes coursework at the college which also requires 360 days at sea. This September she will head out with Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) for 90 days to finish the last of her sea days, where her duties include loading cargo, mooring, navigation, safety officer tasks and more.

“I love it!” Day said about working on the ship. “Every day I wake up it’s something new, being able to travel, seeing new places, working on different ships, meeting new people … it’s the only thing I’ve tried that I haven’t got sick of after three years.”

She has a few remaining classes to complete in the spring and a final oral test next summer and then she will receive her Watchkeeping Mate Certificate and can finally start her career as a 3rd mate … nearly 30 years after she first dreamed of working at sea. Then she will be one step closer to her goal of becoming a captain.

That will be no easy feat in an industry that has very few women. While the number has increased over the last few years, it is estimated that only 1.28% of the global seafarer workforce are women, with 94% of those working on cruise ships or passenger ferries. But that doesn’t deter her.

“I’ll have to work hard and make my way up each level,” she said. “To be a good captain, you really have to understand each role on the ship well, so you have to spend a few years at each. It won’t be easy, but that is my 10-year goal.”

It was Day’s story of persistence and determination that struck a chord with the ISMA scholarship committee. “We were excited to receive Jackie’s application,” said Judy Pitrago, committee chair. “It gave us a good look into a very hard-working, deserving woman, driven by goals and willing to sacrifice material things to reach those goals. We know she has a bright future ahead of her.”

Jackie’s community knows as well. She has become a role model to her children and grandchildren as well as to the residents of Aamjiwnaang First Nation.

“People in my community call me a role model,” she said. “They say I am an inspiration to young females on the reserve.” They follow her on Marine Traffic and wait on the docks at the casino or the reserve when she is passing through. “They’ll be lined up waving to me and sometimes even have signs,” she said.

“It makes me so happy that I can be an example for them and encourage them to follow their dreams. If I can do this, they can do it too … whether they are female or First Nation or 48 years old like me. You’re never too old in your pursuit of happiness!”

For more information, visit info@stclairfoundation.org

Community Foundation of St. Clair County

Governors seek federal funds for Duluth-Superior bridge project

Gov. Tony Evers, together with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, announced Thursday their departments of transportation will seek $889.5 million in federal funding, available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to rebuild the John A. Blatnik Bridge between Duluth and Superior.

“From students to workers to commerce, the Blatnik Bridge is an absolutely critical piece of our economy and a vital route for workers, business owners, students, and visitors to get from point A to point B every day,” said Gov. Evers. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a once in a generation opportunity to modernize the critical infrastructure that makes our economy work, and this project is a perfect candidate for this funding to strengthen our port cities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.”

“I’m proud to partner with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to ensure the Blatnik bridge gets the funding it needs to be completed safely and efficiently,” said Gov. Tim Walz. “This is an important infrastructure project for Northern Minnesota, our neighbors in Wisconsin, and our interconnected economies. We look forward to moving forward on this project.”

The Blatnik Bridge was built in 1961 and carries Interstate-535 and US 53 connecting Duluth and Superior over a tributary of Lake Superior. The route is an important freight and commercial connection between the Twin Ports and serves more than 33,000 cars per day.

“The Blatnik Bridge is the most vital connection between the two cities of Duluth and Superior,” said Superior Mayor Jim Paine. “Despite the state and natural border between us, the bridge makes us a single, greater community: the Twin Ports. Every day thousands of our citizens rely on this indispensable bridge to connect us to work, home, and commerce. This bridge is not only our link to one another, but to the future of both our cities.”

“Connectivity is something I hear about all the time,” said Duluth Mayor Emily Larson. “Public infrastructure that supports people, businesses, and visitors are the things that bring us together. The Blatnik Bridge is quite literally a prime example of this—a critical piece of infrastructure that connects not just Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI, but entire regional economies across two states that also supports the Great Lakes shipping industry connecting our regions to the rest of the world. I am thankful to the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin for investing in this vital connection point for all of our communities.”

If successful, the application for federal funding will cover a substantial portion of the project’s budget and streamline scheduling. Design work for the project, which would determine specifications and shape the total cost of the project, will begin in the near future.

Jointly owned and managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), the Blatnik Bridge is currently load posted for 40 tons. The replacement project will improve safety and accommodate oversize and overweight loads.

“Wisconsin and Minnesota have a history of working together to make the most of our unique geography,”said WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson. “Rebuilding the Blatnik Bridge is a great example of our regional commitment to transportation infrastructure that offers greater safety, resiliency, and quality of life.”

“We’re grateful to our partners at WisDOT for the shared commitment to the vitality of the Twin Ports,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “With funding through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’ll be able to rebuild the Blatnik Bridge to modern standards, improve safety and accessibility, and ensure the communities of Duluth and Superior continue to thrive—and I know we’re all eager to get to work.”

Business North

Those behind the effort to bring Navy submarine repair facilities to Ohio hopeful to be under contract soon

LORAIN, OH – Good news from the Bartlett Maritime Corporation, the group behind the project to bring major submarine repair facilities to Lorain and Lordstown. Company officials met last week at the Pentagon with senior Navy leadership to discuss the status of their proposal.

“We’re hopeful that we’ll be under contract before too long to do the preliminary planning for the two new facilities we proposed,” said company founder, chairman and CEO Ed Bartlett. “One in Lorain to support building equipment to be installed in new ships and one in Lordstown to support maintenance of equipment in existing ships.”

Read the full article at this link: https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-lorain/those-behind-the-effort-to-bring-navy-submarine-repair-facilities-to-ohio-hopeful-to-be-under-contract-soon?fbclid=IwAR3RnW1XvvsTq8MTAtjZRqZQvKV8a3mpp3Gn2xZCUNS7csvAmO4uNoh68GQ

News 5 Cleveland

Ohio Supreme Court affirms siting board ruling that allows Lake Erie wind turbine project to proceed

CLEVELAND, OH – A proposed six-turbine wind energy project in Lake Erie received a favorable decision from the Ohio Supreme Court which today ruled the project may proceed. The Court held the Ohio Power Siting Board properly issued a permit that allows construction of the project, dubbed Icebreaker Wind, to move ahead. Icebreaker is projected to have a $253 million local economic impact and create more than 500 jobs.

Writing for the Court’s 6-1 majority decision, Justice Jennifer Brunner explained that the siting board collected the necessary research to allow Icebreaker to begin construction, while also requiring more data before the company can operate the turbines. “Rather than requiring Icebreaker to resolve those matters before issuing the certificate, the board determined that the conditions on its grant of the application were sufficient to protect birds and bats and to ensure that the facility represented the minimum adverse environmental impact,” Justice Brunner wrote.

Today’s ruling provides the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp. (LEEDCo) additional certainty so that it can market Icebreaker’s power to potential customers. One-third of the power is already under contract with the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County and with its permit secure, LEEDCo can now focus on marketing the remaining two-thirds of the electricity it will produce.

Will Friedman, President and CEO of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, said the ruling – while expected – was nonetheless welcome news. “The Court’s decision preserves the economic potential this project can unlock for the region.” Friedman said. By one estimate, there will be $70 billion in the offshore wind business pipeline in the U.S. by 2030.

“Other states are nipping at our heels to attract offshore wind and its economic benefits. We don’t want to squander this opportunity and let 15 years of work slip away to other states eager to capture market share.”

Icebreaker Wind has faced unprecedented review from regulators for over a decade, and has now received the necessary approvals from more than a dozen local, state and federal agencies—as well as sign-off from the state’s highest court. The project has also overcome a number of obstacles – many of them placed in the project’s path by fossil fuel interests.

The Supreme Court challenge was presented by two residents which, as exposed in court records, were bankrolled by Murray Energy, which prior to bankruptcy billed itself as the biggest coal company in the country. Today’s opinion stated that the residents “have not shown that the (Power Siting) board’s decision to issue the certificate subject to conditions was unlawful or unreasonable.”

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said he believes renewables like Icebreaker Wind bring “a great opportunity to grow the wind industry locally as well as provide access to renewable energy for businesses and residents of Cleveland and the region. This project has always been a win-win for our economy and for our environment. Let’s position ourselves to be a leader, not a follower, to other states.”

LEEDCo Board Chairman Ronn Richard, CEO of the Cleveland Foundation, said Ohio has no choice but to embrace the energy transition to meet the state’s power needs. He noted Intel’s decision to build the world’s largest computer chip factory near Columbus includes a commitment to power 100% of its operations with renewable energy. Other companies in Northeast Ohio and throughout the state have also set ambitious renewable targets.

“We’re pleased with today’s ruling from the Ohio Supreme Court,” Richard said. “The Cleveland Foundation has supported Project Icebreaker from its inception because this is about more than clean energy – this is about a healthy economy and a healthy community. Project Icebreaker shows that Northeast Ohio – and the entire state of Ohio for that matter – is open for businesses.

Port of Cleveland

Better get a swim in the Great Lakes; Water temperatures may have peaked

All signs are pointing to the warmest water on the Great Lakes occurring now or has just happened. It could be all downhill from here on the water temperature graphs.

Looking back at the long-term surface water temperatures on the Great Lakes, the highest average water temperature occurs around the eighth day of August. It looks like our peak water temperature may be right on time.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.mlive.com/weather/2022/08/better-get-a-swim-in-the-great-lakes-water-temperatures-may-have-peaked.html

MLive

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.

Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). 

By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.

MHSD

Biggest construction project in Sault’s history is now underway

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – Algoma Steel Inc. has already spent more than $100 million on a two-year, game-changing technology upgrade that local building officials say will be the most expensive construction job in Sault Ste. Marie’s history.

The massive project, expected to cost $703 million, will replace Algoma’s existing blast furnace and basic oxygen steelmaking processes with two new electric arc furnaces (EAFs), allowing 3.7 million tons in annual raw steel production with an estimated 70% reduction in annual carbon dioxide emissions.

Michael Garcia, the steelmaker’s president and chief executive officer, says the job is on schedule and on budget. Foundation work is currently underway, Garcia says, and structural steel for new buildings should start to rise in late September or in October.

Algoma’s conversion to electric-arc steelmaking could end up costing more than the budgeted $703 million. Chief financial officer Rajat Marwah told investors during a conference call last week that an $80-million contingency fund has been assigned to the project and a small amount of that has already been committed. “We will see a large part of the spending coming in the coming two quarters, up to December,” Marwah said.

Detailed engineering work on the EAF project won’t be completed until later this year, he added. CEO Garcia mentioned during the same investor presentation that foundation and pilings work is currently underway.

“We expect to start erecting buildings — or things above the level of the ground — on October, late September.”

The project will also include a new water treatment plant.

Northern Ontario Business

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.

Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). 

By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.

MHSD

Mark W. Barker makes first transit through Detroit River

DETROIT, MI – Interlake Steamship Co.’s Mark W. Barker made its first transit down bound on the Detroit River on Sunday night. The Barker was loaded with sand bound for Buffalo, NY. 

Click on this link to view photos of the night transit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/74265040605/permalink/10160601393075606/

Prescott ship ambassador Joanne Crack to be honored Wednesday

PRESCOTT, ON – There will be a special dedication ceremony Aug 10th at 2:30 pm in honor of Joanne Crack at Prescott’s Port of Call.

At Prescott’s recent Community Awards ceremony, a special plaque was unveiled in memory of Joanne, whowas a local ambassador of the St. Lawrence Seaway and founder of the The Prescott Anchor Facebook page. Her efforts provided the public with an amazing window into the seaway’s shipping and boating traffic.

The plaque will be mounted at the base of an authentic ships anchor; to be installed at Prescott’s Port of Call, located at the bottom of Centre St. just west of RiverWalk Park.

Prescott Anchor Page

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.

Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). 

By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.

To view the flyer, scroll down to the image gallery.

MHSD

Marquette to Muskegon: Cruise ships bring big tourism dollars to the Great Lakes

The Pearl Mist cut through the smooth water of Muskegon Lake on a cloudy early June morning.

Six decks lined with dozens of private balconies towered over Heritage Landing as about 200 people walked down a ramp ready to explore the small lakeshore town that’s bursting with local art, breweries and cultural landmarks.

This was the first cruise ship to dock at Muskegon in two years.

“Everyone is so ready to get out and travel,” said Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.

Muskegon is one of 27 Great Lakes ports that is welcoming passengers back after cruises were grounded for two years due to the pandemic. Pent-up demand and the growing popularity of Great Lakes cruises are making this a record-breaking year and bringing millions of dollars to local communities.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/08/marquette-to-muskegon-cruise-ships-bring-big-tourism-dollars-to-the-great-lakes.html?utm_campaign=grandrapidspress_sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1dMneniLpK-Iaevv2TSQEEUVEl1xNQm_cKQ0H65lHeQvs5oQrCMEAcH14

MLive

World Ship Society Report for August

Vessels with Great Lakes / Seaway connection – reported as a casualty or sold for demolition taken from August 2022 issue of Marine News – Journal of the World Ship Society:

Casualty:

YULIA (9459967) – 1st seaway transit 2013 – (Harlequin-11) – 19,814 / 2011 – bulk carrier, Liberian flag – owned by MINSHIP Ship Management GmbH, Germany suffered engine failure 5.05.2022 and started drifting in the Thracian Sea 17 miles off Nisos Thasos, Greece at 40.19.16N, 024.41.20E.  Two days later, tug CHRISTOS LI (9041368) 267 / 1993 – took her  in tow for a safe anchorage at Kavala, Greece

Demolitions: None to report

Report prepared by Barry Andersen and René Beauchamp

Reserve now for MHSD’s Detroit River cruise on September 10

Join other members of the MHSD aboard the passenger vessel Diamond Queen, (captained by MHSD’s very own Mike Nicholls and with MHSD member Ken Borg as narrator) for a Detroit River cruise 1-4 p.m. Saturday, September 10. We will do our best to get up close to freighter traffic and, if conditions are favorable, go up the Rouge River (however, the Rouge is not guaranteed). Snacks and refreshments will be available on the boat.

Tickets are $28 ($30 at the dock if space is still available). Buy tickets online at BrownPaperTickets.com (put Marine Historical Society in the search box to find our event). 

By mail, send a check, payable to the Marine Historical Society of Detroit, to MHSD Cruise, 1020 Iroquois St., Detroit, MI 48214. Late orders will not be mailed – they will be held for you at the dock. We are limiting the number to 100 passengers so there will be plenty of room to move about the boat.

To view the flyer, scroll down to the image gallery.

MHSD

Windsorites reflect on vessel that capsized underneath Ambassador Bridge 60 years ago

DETROIT RIVER – It took months to remove the vessel from the Detroit River

Even though Neil Cornwall was only nine years old, he remembers how big of a spectacle it was when a large freighter capsized on its side in the middle of the Detroit River 60 years ago.

On July 30, 1962, a British freighter called the M.V. Montrose hit a barge in the shipping lane of the Detroit River as it was backing out of the Detroit Harbour Terminal.

The collision created a huge hole in Montrose’s hull causing water to pour in and the propeller rose out of the water, causing the freighter to become stranded underneath the Ambassador Bridge.

In the months it took for the vessel to be removed from the waterway, it drew large crowds of people from both sides of the border who wanted to take in the unusual sight. “Everybody and anybody wanted to go and see this thing that was sunk in the middle of the river,” said Cornwall, who previously worked at CBC News.

At the time, pedestrians could pay to walk across the Ambassador Bridge and that’s exactly what Cornwall and his brothers did. “It was bizarre. You walked out there and you leaned over and here was this ship literally on its side you can see the hull, you can see there was stuff that had come out of it that was floating around, but it was just a bizarre, bizarre circumstance,” he said.

The 122-metre, 7,000-ton ship was new and cost between $6 million and $8 million. It cost $750,000 to salvage the freighter, which stayed on its side in nine metres of water until October. It left Detroit on Nov. 9, 1962.

Windsor Port Authority harbour master Peter Berry said that although he didn’t experience the Montrose situation first-hand, he’s familiar with the story.  “During those times it was much more common for vessels to get into trouble, but for a collision of this type, very, very unusual,” he said.  He said it likely slowed down shipping traffic in the Detroit River, but wouldn’t have stopped it completely as it wasn’t large enough to do so.

This event, he said, changed the way ship traffic was managed in that area where they focused more on navigation in the channel.  “You can hear now as the vessels go under the bridge, the horns, the three horns as they go by, indicating they are passing underneath the bridge and coming to that turn so everybody’s aware that there’s another vessel or there’s a vessel coming,” he said.

In the end, Berry said the Montrose did sail again under a different name. But, he added, it ended up sinking a second time in Cleveland and that it eventually became a barge.

CBC News

Cruise planners in historic Great Lakes Inside Passage exploration

Planners from six cruise lines participated in what’s being called a historic exploration of the Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage.

‘This extraordinary and historic navigation exercise took five days to complete and was the first time that a formal commercial investigation has been made of the northern Lake Superior shoreline,’ according to Stephen Burnett, executive director, Great Lakes Cruise Association. Burnett explained the north shore has not seen regular commercial shipping for over 50 years and before the road system was built, the last passenger traffic was in 1942. ‘The absence of commercial traffic is one reason for the rugged untouched beauty of this area,’ he said.

Planners from The Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, Hurtigruten Expeditions, Ponant Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and Scenic Cruises took part in this destination development exercise. 

Burnett stressed the historic nature of their expedition: ‘There has been zero commercial traffic along this magnificent stretch of coastline and this exploratory trip has actually kickstarted the process.’

Wearing Mustang dry suits the group traveled in an oceangoing rigid inflatable boat and took an active part in recording this cruising opportunity.

This destination research was planned in 2019 but postponed by the pandemic until last week. It was conceived by Burnett, who leads the Great Lakes Cruise Association, an organisation focused on building cruise traffic for Canadian ports on the Great Lakes.

Capt. Sean O’Donoughue was made available by the Great Lakes pilots to lead and record the navigation, and Capt. Greg Heroux from Sail Superior provided daily local tourism input and outlined the cruise tourism potential along the Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage.

The journey started in Thunder Bay, Ontario, visiting the nearby Sleeping Giant land mass and the abandoned, submerged mine at Silver Islet, in its day the world’s largest silver mine. That was followed by an open water journey to Red Rock, Ontario, and the nearby town of Nipigon to see petroglyphs and hike the Casque Isles Trail, continually charting the depths for cruise navigation inside the many deep water passages of this archipelago.

The journey continued east to the charming village of Rossport, Ontario, and nearby Battle Island where a hike to the working lighthouse was a highlight. The final segment of this exploration was a visit to the Slate Islands with its resident herd of woodland caribou. During the winter months when the straits between the Slates and nearby Terrace Bay freeze over, a wolf pack has been known to cross the ice and hunt members of this herd.

Burnett said the expedition planners were impressed by the extraordinary scenery, the navigable deep water passages and the warmth and curiosity of the residents plus attractions waiting to be discovered.

The trip was an ‘eye-opener for the planners and the host team,’ Burnett told Seatrade Cruise News. ‘We knew we had magnificent scenery, wonderful and unusual attractions ashore. What we did not know was how the guests would react and that was quite amazing.’

Burnett expects at least two new ships coming to the region in 2024.

Seatrade Cruise News

Great Lakes’ water temperatures show Lake Superior is odd lake out

We can usually expect Great Lakes’ water temperatures to mimic the summer air temperatures. This is mostly true this summer, except for Lake Superior.

The following graphs show this year’s average water temperature on each Great Lake. Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario all are amazingly close to the long-term average water temperature. Usually some part of the year has temperatures deviating significantly from the normal. The big deviation from normal really hasn’t happened this year on those four lakes.

Read the full article at this link: https://www.mlive.com/weather/2022/08/great-lakes-water-temperatures-show-lake-superior-is-odd-lake-out.html

MLive.com