Century-old lock gates that had been stored on the
bottom of the Welland Canal being installed at Lock 7
Weighing roughly 453,600 kilograms each, or about one million pounds, two massive Welland Canal chamber gates at Thorold’s Lock 7 are being replaced this week.
The spare gates, each about a hundred years old, had been stored on the bottom of the canal for redundancy, and were rehabilitated over the past year and a half to prepare them for installation, said Nicole Giroux-Laplante, the agency’s manager of media relations and communications.
“The gates being replaced serve a critical function in the lockage process, allowing the water level to be raised or lowered to facilitate the transit of ships through the lock.”
She said replacing the gates requires a heavy-duty crane to lift them, as well as specialized rigging and equipment handling.
On Monday, Toronto Drydock Ltd.’s 91.5-metre-long cargo barge Coastal Titan was moved up the canal, assisted by the tugs Salvage Monarch, Radium Yellowknife and M.R. Kane, before docking above the lock at Wharf 6 on the east side of the canal in Thorold.
She said replacing the gates requires a heavy-duty crane to lift them, as well as specialized rigging and equipment handling.
On Monday, Toronto Drydock Ltd.’s 91.5-metre-long cargo barge Coastal Titan was moved up the canal, assisted by the tugs Salvage Monarch, Radium Yellowknife and M.R. Kane, before docking above the lock at Wharf 6 on the east side of the canal in Thorold.
On Tuesday, the tugs moved the barge, with two cranes rated at 216 tonnes each, into position so work could begin.
The work is being done now because the project requires the canal to remain filled with water, said Giroux-Laplante. It’s a significant project for St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. as it invests more than $350 million in infrastructure upgrades over three years, she said.
“These upgrades are designed to ensure the seaway’s continued reliability and efficiency,” she said via email.
The seaway said it was investing $180 million in the Welland Canal area and $170 million in the Montreal-to-Lake-Ontario section, from April 2024 through to March 2027, to enhance critical infrastructure, ensure strong supply chain links and reliable transportation for goods.
Work on both sections of the seaway system includes maintaining and upgrading locks and bridges, improving energy infrastructure and improving mechanical and structural systems to extend the lifespan of critical assets.
Welland Tribune
Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade Down 2.5 Percent in 2024
CLEVELAND – Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 4.6 million tons in December, a decrease of 4.5 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 49.8 million tons, a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to 2023. Compared to the trade’s 5-year average, 2024 iron ore loadings were up 3.8 percent.
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Lake Carriers’ Associaton
Ice causes delays for vessels on St. Marys River
Thanks to some subzero weather (-15 Wednesday morning) St. Marys River ice is forming fast. Wednesday around 9:30 a.m. upbound Capt. Henry Jackman came to a stop in the ice at the southern end of Neebish Island. With the Jackman not moving, American Spirit behind her was stopped too. The USCG Katmai Bay got them both moving and then headed over to help Michigan Trader/Joyce L. VanEnkevort, which had become beset above the Rock Cut. After freeing them, Katmai Bay joined USCG Biscayne Bay at Lime Island for the night. With -8 forecast for Wednesday night, their services will most likely continue to be needed.
Know Your Ships
VIDEO: J.W. Westcott Co. completes 150th season
Captain Sam Buchanan with deckhand Walt prepare M.S. Westcott for winter layup, taking her to Wyandotte, MI, until spring. This completes 150 years of service for the J.W. Westcott Co.
Music Credit – Citizen Smile – On My Way Back Home. Video by Andrew Dean
https://www.facebook.com/AndrewDeanDetroit/videos/1129893285245673
Win a trip on the Alpena
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