SS Badger car ferry resumes service after COVID pause
Manitowoc, WI –The SS Badger car ferry headed across Lake Michigan on its normal cruise Thursday after suspending operations when an employee tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.
Officials for the car ferry service — which carries passengers to and from Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan — announced Aug. 10 they were pausing trips and an employee was quarantined on shore as soon as managers learned the worker had been exposed to the virus.
“Our SS Badger will be underway tomorrow and will resume her daily crossings,” spokeswoman Chrissy Kadleck told the Herald Times Reporter Wednesday. Passengers with reservations for the time the SS Badger was docked were encouraged to reschedule or request a refund.
Sara Spore, SS Badger general manager, said in a news release that a crew member tested positive for the coronavirus and the company conducted contact tracing. Three additional crew members were also quarantined.
“The safety of our employees and passengers is our top priority,” said Mark Barker, president of Interlake Maritime Services, which operates the Lake Michigan car ferry, in the release.
Passengers can call 800-841-4243 to adjust bookings. Spore said reservations can be changed up to and until Oct. 10, which ends the 2021 season, without additional fees.
“We do not take your business for granted,” she said in the release. “We appreciate your understanding in these difficult times, and we urge you to be patient with our reservation agents as they work hard to assist the many impacted customers.”
Read the story and view a video here: https://www.htrnews.com/story/money/2021/08/18/ss-badger-lake-michigan-car-ferry-resumes-manitowoc-ludington-service/8182679002/
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway ports see uptick in wind cargoes
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway has seen a rise in ship transits this year thanks in part to an increase in wind energy cargoes, boding well for American and Canadian ports and economies in the region.
Great Lakes Seaway Partnership on Wednesday reported navigation statistics since the opening of the shipping season on March 22 through July. In the first 4 months, the critical seaway connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes region saw 1,733 total transits and 16.7 million tons, up 6.2% and 4.6%, respectively, compared to 2020.
Commodities seeing an increase included iron ore, containers, steel, and wind energy cargo. The ports of Erie, Burns Harbor, and Duluth received wind energy cargoes on eight ships.
“July was a good month for project cargo moving through the Seaway System, with a notable resurgence in shipments of windmill components,” said Craig H. Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. “The wind energy supply chain continues to be strong, with vessels bringing these cargoes from five different countries last month. Exports of iron ore remain strong due to sustained worldwide demand, and steel tonnage continues to be robust, driven by activity in the manufacturing and construction sectors.”
The increase in wind energy cargoes through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway was also apparent during the 2020 navigation season. The Port of Duluth-Superior, for example, saw an increase of 219,000 freight tons in wind cargo compared to 2019, making it a top hub wind cargo. Indian’s Port of Burns Harbor saw a total of 45 shipments wind cargoes.
Last month, the Port of Duluth-Superior had its largest July “float” since 2015, increasing to 4.2 million short tons of maritime cargo and pushing the port’s season-to-date tonnage total over 15.2 million through July 31. This marked 6% above the five-season average and 40.5% ahead of last season’s pace. Through July, vessel arrivals in the Port of Duluth-Superior totaled 334, outpacing 2020’s count by 28.5%.
“It’s been a good first half of the shipping season so far and a vigorous rebound from the COVID challenges of 2020,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “It’s been especially good to see iron ore tonnage jumping back above the five-season average, because it’s a bellwether of positivity for our port and our region as a whole.
“Each ore ship carries between $7 million and $8 million in ore value, so while they’re moving a key raw material of everyday life, they’re also moving a sizable amount of commerce for our communities and the North American economy,” added DeLuca.
Ryan McCoy, Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor port director, said his port had a “fantastic” July.
“International vessel tonnage increased 228 percent compared to last July 2020. Year-to-date, Burns Harbor is up more than 115 percent in our seaway/maritime business. Overall, all Burns Harbor tonnage is up 24 percent. With this influx, our customers are taking advantage of the versatility of our Port and properties. We are able to offer unique storage options within close proximity to their processing facilities that they couldn’t find outside of our port setting. All indications point to a robust end of the year and strong 2022 shipping season, as well.”
Pipeline protesters prevent Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge from rising
Duluth, MN – The Aerial Lift Bridge was prevented from rising at midday Thursday by protesters who refused to get off the bridge.
The Duluth Police Department says the bridge was not able to function for about 30 minutes. The protesters initially refused to get off the bridge but eventually complied without incident after speaking to officers. No arrests were made.
For safety reasons, pedestrians are not allowed on the bridge when it rises to allow ship traffic through the canal. The bridge normally rises on the hour and half-hour, as well as at other times for large ships.
Police pulled resources from their Kids, Cops, and Cars event, happening nearby in Bayfront Park, to respond to this incident. “Demonstrating peacefully and showcasing people’s First Amendment is a right to all and our officers are here to ensure safety for everyone,” the department said in a statement to media.
The incident followed a march against Enbridge’s Line 3 that began near the St. Louis County Courthouse and ended at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers building, which is adjacent to the Lift Bridge.
View photos here: https://www.wdio.com/news/pipeline-protesters-prevent-aerial-lift-bridge-from-rising/6213135/?cat=10335
Real-life version of cartoon tugboat Theodore Too to visit the St. Clair River
St Clair, MI – Theodore Too will be making some stops along the St. Clair River next week. The popular life size replica of the famous cartoon tugboat, Theodore Too, has been making stops all through the Great Lakes area. On Wednesday the 25th, the tugboat will visit Grand Bend Pier in Lambton Shores. Theodore will then visit Point Edward and Sarnia Next Saturday the 28th and Mooretown on Tuesday August 31st. Up close viewing will take place from 9am to 6pm each day. The tugboat’s tour is not only to bring joy to kids of all ages but also to raise awareness for the Great Lakes maritime industry which is currently facing a shortage of professionals. For more information, visit www.ontbluecoast.com/theodore.
How to ship-watch in the Twin Ports
Duluth, MN – Watch the video here: https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/tourism/article7155708.ece?fbclid=IwAR3sX5Ot5KLWdZDjVBmX_zGpbaxGdPzM9q_kjGuERtHNBR0h-JorSvUBsow
