The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026
After a tough battle with ice, Seaway finally closed
The St. Lawrence Seaway has closed for the season at the latest date in its history since opening in 1959. The commercial navigation season on the Montreal–Lake Ontario section officially ended Jan. 12, the latest closure since the Seaway opened in 1959.
Crews with the Seaway, working alongside the Canadian Coast Guard, operated around the clock to break ice and escort vessels through narrowing channels in the season’s final days.
Unusually cold temperatures and heavy ice created difficult conditions for ships and made it challenging to keep locks clear. As a result, about a dozen cargo vessels were delayed between Cape Vincent and Massena while awaiting passage toward Montreal and the Atlantic.
Officials said the persistent winter weather pushed Seaway operations weeks beyond the typical closing date before navigation was ultimately suspended.
Seaway officials were preparing to close the major shipping corridor for the rest of winter on Jan. 5, but iced-in ships were forced to anchor or tie up until conditions improved and traffic cleared through the stretch’s two U.S. and five Canadian locks.
Algoma Equinox, sailing under the flag of Canada and carrying a load of iron ore, was the last vessel, heading west to Hamilton, ON. Downbound, the Noelle G, a bulk carrier transporting corn from Ontario to Londonderry in the United Kingdom, was the last ship to transit the U.S. locks for the season.
On Tuesday, Algoma Buffalo headed up to Wharf 16, Port Colborne, for winter lay up between lock 8 and bridge 21.
[NNY360, NYTV]
The wait is on for last vessel of season at the Soo Locks
SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – The exodus of vessels from Lake Superior ports continued on Tuesday. As the sun came up, Herbert C. Jackson locked down, followed by Stewart J. Cort in the afternoon. The Cort was followed by Wilfred Sykes, carrying ore from Marquette to Toledo. Edwin H. Gott was off Whitefish Point in the late evening, followed by closely Joyce L. VanEnkevort/Great Lakes Trader.
John J. Boland was upbound for Duluth and winter quarters mid-evening Tuesday.
Either American Spirit, loading at Two Harbors, or Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader, loading at Duluth, could be the last downbound vessel at the Soo Locks. John G. Munson departed Superior for the lower lakes Tuesday in the early evening.
The Soo Locks must close to all marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, however if a vessel is en route to the locks at closing time, they will be locked through.
[Know Your Ships]
Kathy McKeil ends successful Thunder Bay Season
The Port of Thunder Bay had a strong 2025 season, marked by high grain volumes (especially canola, wheat, soybeans) and a successful cruise season with 15 ship visits bringing thousands of passengers. Key highlights included significant grain shipments, early season activity from vessels like Algoma Guardian, and the arrival of Viking Octantis and Polaris, boosting local tourism and economy despite a slight overall cargo dip from record 2024 levels.
Watch a video news report here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKKUrWXq6ec
Great Lakes Limestone Trade Down in 2025
CLEVELAND — Limestone shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 26.6 million tons in 2025, a decrease of 5.9 percent compared to the previous year. 2025’s loadings were below the trade’s 5-year average by 6.7 percent.
Shipments from U.S. quarries decreased 5 percent from 2024 to 21.7 million tons. Loadings from U.S. quarries were also 5 percent below their 5-year average.
2025 shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 4.9 million tons, a 9.7 percent decrease compared to 2024 and 13.9 percent below the 5-year average.
[See Charts below in gallery]
[Lake Carriers Association]
Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance
The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to all marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, or until commercial traffic ceases, through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform seasonal critical maintenance.
Federal regulation (33 CFR 207.440) establishes the operating season based on the feasibility of vessels operating during typical Great Lakes ice conditions.
“Every year, our lock and dam operators transition from assisting vessels through the Soo Locks to performing maintenance on the locks,” Operations Branch Chief Jeff Harrington said. “The team works alongside Soo Project Office maintenance crews to provide 100% effort in completing all critical maintenance during the 10-week shutdown. They work long hours in harsh northern Michigan winter conditions to complete a significant amount of maintenance during this annual closure period.”
This winter maintenance period, the MacArthur Lock will not be dewatered and will close for the season when the weather or ice conditions make operation unsafe and/or inefficient, or when the Poe Lock closes, whichever comes first. Communication with industry will be made at least 48 hours prior to closure. The MacArthur Lock is scheduled to reopen in late April 2026.
The Poe lock will remain operational (on a 24-hour basis) through January 15, 2026, or until commercial traffic ceases – whichever occurs first. The Poe Lock will be dewatered during the maintenance season and is scheduled to reopen on March 25.
The team will install temporary panel bridges across the MacArthur and Poe Lock. The panel bridges will provide the ability to mobilize materials and equipment to the job sites throughout the winter closure.
Maintenance on the MacArthur Lock will include the Soo Project Office fabricating and replacing spring boxes and lever arms for Gates 3, 4 and 5, constructing a recess cutout for the panel bridge, repairing a Gate 2 strut arm, as well as concrete and deck plate repairs to Gate 5
Maintenance on the Poe Lock will include underfloor cleanout and manhole inspection, a five-year periodic assessment, Gate 1 repairs, Gate 4 lifting lug installation, Gate 3 jacking pedestal repairs and testing of Ice Study wall coating.
In addition to the above, crews will also perform a wide range of other maintenance tasks from the replacement of pier fender timbers to inspections and preventative maintenance on electrical and mechanical systems on both the Poe and MacArthur Locks.
“Reliable Great Lakes navigation and the momentum of the American manufacturing supply chain depend on getting the job done here. In an unforgiving northern climate, our exceptional team tackles the complex maintenance demands of aging infrastructure, proving their skill on systems well past their service life.” Soo Locks Operations Manager LeighAnn Ryckeghem said.
More than 4,500 vessels, carrying up to 80 million tons of cargo, maneuver through the locks annually. Iron ore, coal, wheat and limestone are among the most frequently carried commodities. Opened in 1969, the Poe Lock is 1,200 feet long. The MacArthur Lock opened in 1943 and is 800 feet long.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 81 harbors, including the Great Lakes Connecting Channels that join lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie.
Visit the Detroit District Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/USACEDetroitDistrict for information about the last vessel to transit the Soo Locks for the 2025-2026 shipping season and updates on maintenance work.
[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District]
