S.S. Badger ramp repairs well underway after damage ends 2023 season

LUDINGTON, MI – The “post-holiday blues” aren’t dampening spirits at the S.S. Badger – the
ship is well on its way to being ready for the 2024 season, officials said. The Lake Michigan car
ferry’s 2023 season ended abruptly when its ramp became non-operational in July.

As of Nov. 1, work had begun on the ramp’s port side counterweight system, which had failed
on July 21 resulting in the end of the historic ferry’s 70th season.

Officials announced Wednesday that the ramps’ starboard tower and counterweight system
had been fully dismantled. Workers with King Construction are now driving the piling for the
new apron system.

Neither the ramp itself nor the ship sustained damage during the July 21 incident.

Read more at this M Live link: https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/01/ss-badger-ramp-repairs-
well-underway-after-damage-ends-2023-season.html

NEWS 6

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Gold-headed cane awarded to first vessel to enter Port of Montreal

MONTREAL, QC – The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has welcomed the first ocean-going
vessel of the year to reach the city’s port with its annual gold-headed cane ceremony.

The event celebrates the first ship to cross the Port of Montreal’s downstream limit at Sorel
without a stopover. This year, the prize was given to the Helena G and its master Eduard
Voshchuk.

The ship sailed from Bulgaria’s Port of Burgas on Dec. 12, 2023 and arrived in Montreal on Jan.2, 2024 at 7:17 a.m. The Helena G, flying the flag of Portugal, was carrying gold and pyrite and
ended its journey at the Port of Montreal’s berth 43, operated by Logistec.

It was a great pleasure for us to present this year’s gold-headed cane to Captain Voshchuk,
master of the first ship to cross the limits of the Port of Montreal’s waters this year, said MPA
Interim President and CEO Geneviève Deschamps. Carrying gold to the Port of Montreal, some
would say that the Helena G was predestined to receive this prestigious honour.

Captain Voshchuk, who is of Ukrainian origin and began sailing at the age of 18, received the
gold-headed cane for the first time. He comes from a family of sailors and says sailing allows
him to visit different countries and interact with their people. This is his second visit to
Montreal.

Deschamps welcomed the captain with bread and salt, a tradition from Montreal’s Ukrainian
community. This reminds us of the resilience of the Ukrainian community, which, despite the
war, contributes to the smooth running of the international maritime industry, said
Deschamps.

The gold-headed cane is inscribed with the name of the winning captain and the ship’s name.

This year marks the 185th anniversary of the ceremony, a tradition that the MPA boasts
commemorates Montreal’s rich maritime heritage. The Helena G is expected to set sail in a few
days for Quebec City.

CTV News

Duluth shipping season ends on a warm note

DULUTH, MN – While the warm weather may be a bad for many Northland businesses, our port
is benefitting. This year’s shipping season is going to end on a much warmer note. The season
began in March and will end on January 5th.

Jayson Hron, The Director of Communication and Marketing at the Duluth Seaway Port
Authority, says the mild temperatures and lack of ice make the end of the season much
smoother. “It’s been a good season,” said Hron. “This is definitely a record-breaking year in
terms of the latest ocean departure and also the earliest ocean arrival.”

More than 650 ships have moved through the Port of Duluth-Superior this season.
“The only impact from the warm weather has been a lack of ice,” said Hron. “Which means that
the ships are able to sail at full speed, unimpeded by the ice.”

Due to the warm weather, Hron says they’ve decided to make a few last-minute changes.
“Seaway management decided in November to announce that it would have its latest closure
date in history this year,” said Hron.

The ships will also be able to travel through the Soo Locks at a much faster speed. “To have this
extension to the shipping season and to keep the ships moving,” said Hron. “Not only the
Lakers, which we commonly see move through the middle of January, but the Salties as well.”

As the season comes to an end, Hron is grateful to end on such a high note. “This is definitely a
record-breaking year in terms of the latest ocean departure and also the earliest ocean arrival,”
said Hron.

Northern News Now

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Great Lakes start 2024 with smallest amount of ice in at least 50 years

The Great Lakes had the smallest amount of ice cover this New Year’s Day in at least the past 50
years and are on track to see less than the seasonal average this winter, according to
government data. The decline comes during a five-decade drop in ice cover that experts say is
due in part to human-caused climate change.

“It’s an extreme number,” said James Kessler, a physical scientist at the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL). “That
said, it is early in the season, and there is year-to-year variability. But on average we are seeing
less ice cover and shorter seasons.”

On the first of the year, only 0.35 percent of the Great Lakes was under ice, below the roughly 9
percent that it usually averages at this point in the winter, according to data from GLERL. On
New Year’s Day 2023, more than 4 percent of the Great Lakes was covered in ice, while 2.35
percent was covered in ice on Jan. 1, 2022.

Kessler cautioned that while Monday’s low is remarkable, one-day lows are not as statistically
significant as month-long lows. He added that maximum ice cover, or the point in the winter
with the highest percentage of the Great Lakes with ice coverage, usually occurs in February
and March, and that January is early in the season. (In 2023, the Great Lakes’ ice cover hit a
record mid-February low.)

Still, the drops are expected to continue as the earth keeps warming, with implications across
industries and environments.

Robust ice cover protects lake shorelines from high waves that can bring severe flooding and
damage the coastline, according to Kessler. Some microorganisms use the ice as a safe haven to
spawn and lay eggs. A lack of ice coverage can lead to more severe snow storms because an
unfrozen lake is a prerequisite for “lake effect” snow.

NEWS4

Heddle Shipyards has a new name.

HAMILTON, ON –Heddle Shipyards has been rebranded Ontario Shipyards. The name change
took place Jan. 1.

“The province of Ontario was once the epicenter of shipbuilding in Canada, with more than
eighty commercial and government vessels built at the Port Weller Dry Docks and many more
at the historic Thunder Bay Shipyard,” according to a press release. “The transition to Ontario
Shipyards is both a signal and a commitment that we will harness the capacity of Ontario’s
shipyards and the industrial capabilities of the province to become the most reliable provider of
ship repair and shipbuilding services in Canada so that our country has the vessels and skilled
labor force it needs to be a maritime nation.”

“The name Ontario Shipyards embraces Ontario’s shipbuilding legacy and articulates a vision to
complete the revitalization of shipyards in Ontario so that the province can once again become
a global leader in ship repair and shipbuilding services. We will do so by modernizing and
revolutionizing shipyard operations and building a highly skilled and motivated workforce,” the
press release continued.

“In the coming years, additional capacity will be needed to support the Canadian government’s
National Shipbuilding Strategy. Ontario Shipyards stands ready to provide that capacity.”
Ontario Shipyards

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Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Up 20.7 Percent in 2023

CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.8 million tons in December, an increase of 19.8 percent compared to a year ago.  Shipments were just slightly above the 5-year average for the month.

The year-end total for the iron ore trade stands at 51.1 million tons, an increase of 20.7 percent compared to 2022.

Compared to the trade’s 5-year average, 2023 iron ore loadings were up 4.5 percent.

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand.
More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

Information based on data from knowledgeable sources.  However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.  Lake Carriers’ Association assumes no legal responsibility for the outcome of decisions or commitments made on the basis of this information.  Report represents the views of Lake Carriers’ Association and may not necessarily represent the views of its individual members.

Great Lakes Limestone Trade Down Slightly in 2023

CLEVELAND — Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 28.6 million tons in 2023, a decrease of less than one percent compared to 2022.  2023’s loadings were below the trade’s 5-year average by 1.1 percent.

Loadings from U.S. quarries increased less than one percent from the prior year to 23.1 million tons.  However, shipments from U.S. quarries were below their 5-year average by less than one percent.

Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 5.5 million tons, a decrease of 4.4 percent compared to 2022 and 1.8 percent below the 5-year average.

GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: DECEMBER 2018-2023 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)

YEAR-TO-DATE 2018-2023 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)

U.S. ports: Calcite, MI; Cedarville, MI; Drummond Island, MI; Marblehead, OH; Port Inland, MI; and Presque Isle, MI.  Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne (from August 2017 on), and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).

About Lake Carriers’ Association

Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.

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Latest closing date in history of St. Lawrence Seaway

The St. Lawrence Seaway has announced its latest closing date since the vital North American
waterway was founded in 1959 – notably to compensate for the impact of an eight-day strike in
October by Canadian workers that prevented more than 100 vessels from transiting the system.

“Weather permitting, our projected closing dates for the Montreal-Lake Ontario section is
January 5, 2024 and the Welland Canal section is January 7, 2024,” said Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice
President External Relations, St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation.

“The navigation season has been extended by five days to help offset the impacts of the traffic
interruption on the economy,” Mr. Aubry-Morin told Maritime Magazine. He suggested that
the decision was also facilitated in part by climate change developments.

The longer season will allow particularly Canadian and foreign-flag carriers transporting wheat,
iron ore, steel and general cargo to potentially add at least one extra trip to their sailing
schedules through the maritime corridor of 15 locks (13 Canadian and 2 Canadian) linking the
Atlantic Ocean to the industrial heartland of North America.

“The only time we closed on Jan 11 was when a vessel was stuck in a U.S. lock in 2017,” Mr.
Aubry-Morin said, adding: “We are really opening the door for the recovery of what was lost in
time!”

Maritime Magazine

Manitowoc Experiences Bow Thruster Problem

At approximately 1619 Eastern Standard Time Sunday, the 630’ freighter Manitowoc was
inbound St. Joseph Harbor, MI, when she developed an issue with the bow thruster. The bow
thruster is a propeller sideways in the bow or front of the vessel to allow for easier
maneuvering in close quarters.

The freighter did make contact against the protective wooden fendering surrounding the CSX
Railroad Bridge. The bridge itself was not impacted.

Manitowoc was able to resolve the thruster issue and proceed inbound to Dock 63 to unload
her cargo of approximately 15,300 tons of gravel. No injuries or damage were reported to the
vessel and no pollution was discharged into the water.

CSX Railroad reported that their bridge mechanic conducted an inspection of the bridge with no
damage to the bridge itself and minor scrapes to the protective wooden fendering. The Coast
Guard and the Harbormaster were notified appropriately during this incident.

Manitowoc will be performing maintenance and inspection on the thruster.
The vessel will also test operation of the thruster prior to departing the harbor once their cargo is unloaded.

Mike Moran Harbormaster, City of St. Joseph, MI

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Happy New Year from Boatnerd

Boatnerd wishes to all our readers a very happy and successful 2024. Thank you for your support.

Thank you to our reporters!

A big three long and two short goes out to all who send news to this page or contribute to the
Port Reports, among them Jack Hurt, Scott Bjorklund, Gordy Garris, Todd Shorkey, Arthur
Pickering, Rene Beauchamp, Ron Beaupre, Rod Burdick, Bruce Douglas, Stephen Sostaric, Bill
Kloss, Barry Andersen, Ron Walsh, MKE Marine Reports, Brian R Wroblewski, Tyler Fairfield,
Port of Monroe, Bill Van Appledorn, Capt. Mike Nicholls, Fred A. Tijan, Jeremy Whitman, Gary A.
Putney, Brendan Falkowski, Marc Dease, Tom Brewer, Graham Grattan, Sam Hankinson, Joshua
Hebeisen, Matt Miner, Denny Dushane, Ken Borg, Bill Bird, Al Miller, Steve Horton, Roger
LeLievre and anyone else we’ve inadvertently left off this list, including those who wish to
remain anonymous. It is the contributions of all these volunteers, and many others, that make
Boatnerd possible.

We are always seeking contributions to this page from readers around the Great Lakes and St.
Lawrence Seaway. If you see news in your area or want to offer your observations of vessel
arrivals and departures, please send to news@boatnerd.net. If you spot an interesting
shipping-related story in your local news, please take a moment to forward a link so that we
may share it with our audience. Thank you!

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Algoma Transport departs with final cargo before scrapping

The gloomy weather Saturday was fitting for the final departure of the Algoma Transport from
Superior, WI, with 26,439 tons of ore loaded at BNSF for Hamilton, ON. Once the cargo is
delivered, she is expected to sail to Port Colborne, ON, where she will be cut up by Marine
Recycling Corp.

Owner Algoma Central Corp. announced earlier this year the Transport would be replaced by the
new Algoma Bear, now making her way toward the lakes from her builder’s yard in China
Algoma Transport was built in 1979 at Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Cathartines, ON, for Upper
Lakes Shipping Co. Ltd. at a cost of $33 million to fulfil a long-term coal contract between Upper
Lakes and Ontario Hydro. The Transport wasn’t the only ship constructed to serve that trade
route: ULS also built the Canadian Century, Canadian Enterprise, Canadian Progress and
Canadian Olympic.

On February 25, 2011, Algoma Central Corp. purchased Upper Lakes Shipping, marking the end
of an era for the historic Canadian shipping company. Two months later, Algoma announced
that the Transport would be renamed Algoma Transport.

Algoma Transport’s retirement leaves John D. Leitch as the sole survivor of the Upper Lakes
Shipping fleet in active trade.

David Schauer, Jack Hurt

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Nordika Desgagnes sets record late-season departure at Duluth-Superior

The Canadian-flagged Nordika Desgagnes departed Duluth and into the record book today
(December 29, 2023) as the Port of Duluth-Superior’s latest-departing ocean-going ship on
record. Carrying beet pulp pellets destined for Ireland, she will eclipse the port’s previous
oceangoing late-departure record set Dec. 23, 1984, by the Federal Calumet, which carried
durum wheat bound for France.

Combined with the earliest oceangoing arrival in port history – the Federal Dart arrived March
28, 2023 – the Nordika Desgagnes departure on Dec. 29 will make this navigation season
Duluth-Superior’s longest ever for international traffic (277 days).

Duluth Seaway Port Authority, David Schauer

Wagenborg orders fifth EasyMax multipurpose vessel

Wagenborg has given itself a Christmas present in the form of a fifth EasyMax multipurpose
vessel order at the Royal Niestern Sander shipyard. The two companies agreed to start the
construction of another 14,000 dwt vessel, set for delivery by the end of 2025.

This repeat order fits into the production process at the yard, as the delivery of the third
EasyMax is nearby and the construction of the fourth EasyMax is currently in full swing. It is
worth reminding that the third EasyMax was launched by the yard in mid-October.
EasyMax vessels Maxima and Egbert Wagenborg have already visited the lakes. Amalia was
launched in October.

The EasyMax concept is a multi-purpose vessel with a cargo capacity of 14,000 tons and was
jointly developed by Wagenborg and Niestern Sander. Wagenborg was awarded the KVNR
Maritime Shipping Award in 2017 for this ship design, partly due to its superior fuel efficiency.

The Egbert Wagenborg and Máxima have more than proven themselves as sustainable and
successful ship types, according to Wagenborg.

With a cargo capacity of more than 14.000 tonnes and a hold capacity of 625.000 cbft,
Wagenborg was able to build a relatively large vessel without a major increase in overall
dimensions. With an installed power of less than 3.000 kW, this ship has low fuel consumption
and due to its design, it has an excellent sea-keeping performance.

Wagenborg’s focus on energy efficiency resulted in over 60 percent of CO2 emissions savings
compared to her peer group. According to Wagenborg, the EasyMax is the greenest
multipurpose vessel in its class, resulting in an undisputed Carbon Intensity Index (CII) A-rating.

Project Cargo Journal Newsletter

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Algoma Bear about to depart Chinese
shipyard for Canadian home

The new self-unloader Algoma Bear (which will replace the Algoma Transport, soon heading to
Marine Recycling Corp. for scrapping), has completed her sea trials and will be on her long
journey to Canada in a few weeks (sailing time will be approximately two months) once a slot
has been booked to transit the Panama Canal (due to the low water levels in the Panama Canal,
ships are bidding on slots for March transits now).

In June 2021 – Algoma Central Corp. signed a contract with China’s Yangzijiang (YZJ) Shipyard for
the construction of a 740-foot-long Seaway-Max self-unloading vessel for its domestic dry-bulk
fleet. The vessel will be the first of the new Equinox 2.0 Class. The design builds on the original
Equinox- class standards to offer increased deadweight capacity, better fuel efficiency and
improved speed at lesser engine power.

The Equinox 2.0 will also incorporate weight-saving features and a modified stern. With a dual-
rudder design, the reconfigured stern will increase the cargo holding capacity by nearly
1,440mt. The design enhancements will also include changes to the cargo hold shape, which
will improve the handling of ‘sticky’ cargoes, along with an upgraded propeller.

According to Algoma, the name Algoma Bear represents strength, stability and size. She was
built in 12 months.

Courtesy Ship Junkies – Lakes, Locks & Rivers – Janey Anderson

Know Your Ships editor to talk about
life on the lakers Tuesday in Marquette

Join Know Your Ships Editor and Publisher Roger LeLievre Tuesday evening for a presentation in
Marquette, MI. The program, part of the Marquette Maritime Museum’s Maritime History on
Tap Series, will be at Ore Dock Brewing Co., 114 W Spring St., at 7 p.m.

LeLievre’s program, “Hitchin’ A Ride: An Intimate Look at Life On the Lakers, offers a glimpse at
life on Great Lakes freighters from his perspective of being a guest aboard mighty ships such as
the Stewart J. Cort, Wilfred Sykes, Edward L Ryerson and others. $5 suggested donation at the
door.

Spend a week as a Wisconsin lighthouse keeper

Baileys Harbor WI – The Ridges Sanctuary’s Resident Docent Program is an opportunity to
spend a week living as lighthouse keepers did in the early 1900s. Living quarters for resident
docents are in the Upper Range Light. Built in 1869, the Upper Range Light and its companion
Lower Range Light are the only lighthouses of this design still on range and functional as
navigational aids.

The program begins in June and runs through October. Weekly sessions run from Sunday to
Sunday, with a day off in the middle to explore Door County. Responsibilities include
conducting range light tours, welcoming visitors, explaining how the range lights work and their
critical role in the history of Baileys Harbor and the founding of The Ridges Sanctuary.

Applications for the season will be accepted until 5 pm, Jan. 5 and can be mailed to The Ridges
Sanctuary, PO Box 152, Baileys Harbor WI 54202, or submitted via email to
Katie@ridgessanctuary.org. To learn more, go to ridgessanctuary.org/visit-us/range-lights.

Door County Pulse

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