Great Lakes News


Welland Canal Ship Traffic Resumes

Jul 11, 2023

Two-way marine traffic resumed Monday night on the Welland Canal in Ontario, Canada after a power outage on Sunday led to a temporary suspension of navigation.The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), which manages and operates the Canadian assets of the St…

Ship Traffic Halted After Power Outage Hits Welland Canal

Jul 10, 2023

Vessel traffic through Ontario's Welland Canal has ceased after a power outage damaged equipment in two of its locks, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) said.The not-for-profit corporation, which manages and operates the Canadian assets of the St…

Great Lakes Iron Ore Trade on the Rise

Jul 07, 2023

Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.8 million tons in June, an increase of 47.8% from 2022, according to latest figures published by trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). Shipments were 12.7% above the month’s five-year average…

Great Lakes Limestone Trade Slides

Jul 07, 2023

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.1 million tons in June, a decrease of 17.6% from a year ago, according to latest figures published by trade group the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA). This June’s loadings were also below the month’s five-year average by 17…

First Ocean Vessel of 2023 Arrives at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor

Apr 11, 2023

Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor opened its 2023 international shipping season on April 11 with the arrival of Polsteam’s Isadora, a bulk carrier from Ijmuiden, Netherlands, through the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes.Owned and operated by Polsteam and built in 1999…

New Operator Sought for International Ag Shipping Terminal on Lake Michigan

Mar 30, 2023

Ports of Indiana has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify potential operators of the International Ag Shipping Terminal at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor. The 7-million-bushel terminal has transload capabilities for ocean ships…

Soo Locks to Open March 25 for 2023 Shipping Season

Mar 20, 2023

The Great Lakes' 2023 shipping season will commence on March 25 with the opening of the Poe Lock at 12:01 a.m., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District announced.The operating season is fixed by federal regulation and driven in part…

Carter Sworn In as Milwaukee Port Director

Feb 27, 2023

The City of Milwaukee’s new Municipal Port Director officially took office on Thursday during a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. Mayor Cavalier Johnson appointed Jackie Q. Carter in January, and the Milwaukee Common Council confirmed her appointment earlier in February…

Port of Toronto Reports Record Cargo and Cruise Numbers for 2022

Feb 21, 2023

The Port of Toronto announced it  moved more than 2.3 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2022, its highest recorded cargo levels in 18 years, and welcomed a record 41 cruise ships and more than 12,000 visitors to its Cruise Ship Terminal.The…

New Lock at the Soo Reauthorized in WRDA 2022 at $3.219 Billion

Dec 29, 2022

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District New Lock at the Soo Project in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is reauthorized in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 2022 on Dec 23, 2022. The project reauthorization amount is $3.219 billion…

Volumes Rising on Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System

Nov 14, 2022

Shipping across the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system topped 4.2 million tons in October, led by strong gains in grain as well as potash, salt and other dry bulk cargos. Overall grain shipments reached 1.5 million tons, a reflection of…

Great Lakes Winter Supply Chain – A Cause for Concern

Nov 07, 2022

As the temperatures start their annual decline on the Great Lakes, an icy chill is in the air. Shipping companies across the lakes are rushing to get final loads of critical raw materials from the northern lakes to the manufacturing facilities on the lower lakes…

New Lock at the Soo: Unlocking the Great Lakes

Oct 21, 2022

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District works on unlocking the Great Lakes by providing a much-needed resiliency at the Soo Locks with the construction of the New Lock at the Soo. The New Lock at the Soo will be the same dimensions as the Poe Lock…

“Welcome to a Dying Industry (1988)”

Oct 12, 2022

While pundits have long proclaimed the U.S. maritime industry dying or dead, the recent delivery of Great Lakes laker Mark W. Barker suggests an innovative future instead.Jacksonville Shipyard was a well-known repair yard that was particularly…

Navigating Climate Change: How Shipping is Adapting in the St. Lawrence

Sep 26, 2022

When compared to other major river navigation routes around the world, the St. Lawrence River is a favored waterway.It flows from the mouth of Lake Ontario, at an altitude of 250 meters. From its source to the Gulf, the river travels 1,197 kilometers…

Current News

Saudi Red Sea Authority and NEOM Sign Tourism MoU

Matt Kaplan to Lead New Great Lakes Authority

Montrose Becomes First Port in Scotland to Provide Shore Power for Vessels

Port Operator JSW Infrastructure Q4 Profit Rises 10%

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News