The 2025-2026 winter layup list is now up and running at  https://boatnerd3.jasonbowlerdesign.com/winter-lay-up-list-2025-2026

Interlake well-represented at the Soo Thursday

   It was an Interlake kind of day on the St. Marys River Thursday, with Paul R. Tregurtha, Mesabi Miner, Lee A Tregurtha, Hon. James L Oberstar and the Mark W. Barker all making transits, with Kaye E. Barker due downbound. Other traffic included H. Lee White and Burns Harbor downbound and Manitoulin and Frontenac upbound. Traffic was moving without much problem through the locks, though visibility was reduced by fog.

[Know Your Ships]

Atlantic Huron’s name painted out as last of crew leaves

   Atlantic Huron, which Wednesday morning reach her final resting place at R.J. MacIsaac Construction Ltd., had her name and the Canada Steamship Lines billboards painted over early Thursday as crew members said their final goodbyes. The vessel will be scrapped over the next several months.
[See images, courtesy of CSL, in the gallery]

Port of Montreal expansion project approved

   Press Release: The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) announces that it has received approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the expansion of the port facilities in Contrecoeur, QC, and the continued construction of the new container terminal. This authorization is issued under the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act and is a continuation of the activities initiated as early as 2015 to carry out this strategic project.
   An approval in continuity of the efforts already initiated
   Fisheries and Oceans Canada has issued an authorization in relation to the impacts on fish and fish habitat under the Fisheries Act and the Species at Risk Act, as part of the proposed construction of the new port terminal, the construction of the wharf and all water work required for the project. These will be carried out in full compliance with the measures, protocols, requirements, practices and conditions established within the framework of the authorization granted.
   “Obtaining this authorization is in continuity with the efforts initiated for several years to ensure the realization of the expansion project of the Port of Montreal in Contrecoeur. Constructive discussions with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s experts remain at the heart of the evolution of the project and demonstrate our commitment to continue its realization in accordance with environmental requirements, while building on an already initiated compensation plan,” said Julie Gascon, President and CEO of the NPA.
   This authorization follows the environmental assessment process conducted by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, which led to a favorable decision statement in 2021. The entire process included a thorough environmental assessment, meaningful public and Indigenous consultations, and a detailed scientific analysis of impacts on copper redhorse habitat.
   Last October, the MPA also received approval to implement the Copper Redhorse Food Herbal Plan, developed in accordance with the Decision Statement, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
   Following this authorization, the NPA will proceed with the project as planned, in accordance with the established schedule, which remains unchanged. The year 2026 will therefore mark the beginning of the water work and the continuation of the development of the site. The new terminal is still scheduled to be put into service by 2030.

[Port of Montreal]

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]