Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System

08 Sep

Weakley: Great Lakes icebreaker gap threatens U.S. maritime dominance

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Icebreakers

When Americans think of our coastlines, most picture the beaches of the Atlantic, the Pacific, or the Gulf. But the Great Lakes are America’s fourth coast – a 2,300-mile expanse reaching deep into the nation’s industrial heartland. Each year, this system moves more than 135 million tons of cargo worth over $26 billion, carrying the raw materials that power American…

01 Sep

Fuel leak after repair causes fire aboard Lake Erie bulker

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping, TSB

(RICHMOND HILL, Ontario) — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report (M23C0104) into the engine room fire onboard the bulk carrier Cuyahoga. On May 23, 2023, Cuyahoga, loaded with granular crushed stone, left Marblehead, Ohio, bound for Kingsville, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Almost three hours into the voyage, a fire ignited in the engine room.…

19 Aug

U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain recognized as Great Lakes champion

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Icebreakers, Ports

(PORT HURON, Mich.) — On Monday, the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF) recognized U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., for her efforts advocating for the Great Lakes Navigation System and those who live and work on or near the Fourth Sea Coast. "It is an incredible honor to be recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes Maritime…

14 Aug

Bulker loses propulsion, grounds in St. Lawrence River near Montreal

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping

(MONTREAL) — A bulk carrier ran aground Tuesday in the St. Lawrence River near Montreal after losing propulsion, The Canadian Press reported. Francis Lapointe, a spokesman for the Canadian Coast Guard, said the 590-foot Federal Yamaska ran aground near Vercheres, Quebec, at about 5:45 a.m. following a complete loss of engine power. No injuries or pollution were reported. Lapointe said…

11 Jun

Lakes to receive ‘historic’ funding for navigation work

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping, Towboats and towing, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(WASHINGTON) — In late May, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its final navigation work plan for fiscal year 2025. The plan outlines resources that will be used for dredging, structure maintenance, and other priorities at every port in the United States. A summary/funding analysis of Great Lakes provisions can be found here. Amounts shown in black are spending…

16 May

Grain paces increase in Seaway cargoes through April

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Ports, shipping

(OTTAWA, Ontario) — The first tonnage statistics for 2025 have been reported by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp., and thus far the 67th navigation season is showing a year-over-year increase in overall traffic. As of the end of April, total traffic reached 4.5 million tonnes, representing a 3.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Grain and…

13 May

Bulker hits St. Marys River light after steering failure

Professional Mariner StaffCasualty NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, NTSB, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A steering system failure led to a bulk carrier’s contact with a navigational aid in the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday. The bulk carrier American Mariner struck the Munuscong Channel Junction Light on March 28, 2024, as the ship was transiting upbound in the St. Marys River.…

07 May

Great Lakes limestone cargoes down sharply in April

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Ports, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — Limestone shipments on the Great Lakes totaled 1.8 million net tons in April, a decrease of 21.6 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 15.7 percent. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.5 million tons, a decrease of 18.2 percent. Loadings at Canadian quarries decreased by 35.3 percent to 297,064 tons.…

09 Apr

Great Lakes iron ore trade down nearly one-third in 2025

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, Ports, shipping

(CLEVELAND) — Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes were below 1 million tons in March, a decrease of 39.1 percent compared to 2024. Loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 19.4 percent, according to the Lake Carriers' Association. Year to date, the iron ore trade stands at nearly 3 million tons, a decrease of 31.9 percent…

24 Mar

Soo Locks open early for 2025 shipping season

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsGreat Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System, shipping, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.) — The Soo Locks officially opened Friday morning for the shipping season, WCMU Public Media reported. The first vessel through was the ATB barge Erie Trader, on its way to Duluth. It was being guided by the tugboat Clyde S. Vanenkevort. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the locks in Sault St. Marie about four…