Lakes Coal
Great Lakes April Coal Shipments Unchanged from a Year Ago
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.2 million tons in April, a virtual tie with a year ago. The trade was 19 percent below the month’s five-year average, however. Shipments from Lake Superior ports totaled 1.4 million tons, a slight increase from a year ago. Included in that total were 168,000 tons loaded in Superior, Wisconsin and transshipped to Québec City for loading into oceangoing colliers. Loadings in Chicago totaled 300,000 tons, again a slight increase compared to last year. Shipments from Lake Erie ports dipped to 500,000 tons, a decrease of 22 percent compared to a year ago. Year-to-date the Lakes coal trade stands at 2.8 million tons, a decrease of 15.4 percent compared to a year ago, and 33 percent below the 5-year average for the January-April timeframe. www.lcaships.com
Lakes Coal Trade Impacted by Weather in June
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.6 million tons in June, a decrease of 9.7 percent compared to May, and a drop of nearly 13 percent compared to a year ago. Some of the decrease was the result of a lengthy outage at the Lakes’ largest coal-shipping operation, Superior Midwest Energy Terminal in Superior, Wisconsin. Flooding after a torrential storm forced shipments to cease on June 19. The dock resumed loading on July 8
Great Lakes Coal Down 7 PCT in September
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3.4 million net tons in September, an increase of nearly 15 percent compared to August, but a decrease of 7 percent compared to a year ago. The trade was more than 10 percent off the 5-year average for September. Loadings at Lake Superior ports topped 2 million tons for the first time this year, but still represented a decrease of 6.5 percent compared to a year ago
Great Lakes Coal Trade Down More Than 12 Percent in July
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 2.7 million tons in July, a slight increase – 63,000 tons – compared to June, but a drop of 12.4 percent compared to a year ago. Loadings fell even more when compared to the month’s 5-year average: 30.5 percent. Only one port range – Lake Michigan – registered an increase over last year: 37.7%. Loadings at Lake Superior docks fell 13
Great Lakes Coal Trade Down 10-Plus Percent in September
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3,049,705 tons in September, an increase of 6.3 percent compared to August, but a drop of 10.1 percent compared to a year ago. Compared to the month’s 5-year average, loadings were down 14.5 percent. Overseas shipments from Superior, Wisconsin, continued in September. Coal shipped to Québec City for reloading into oceangoing vessels totaled 192,000 tons
U.S., Canadian Coast Guards: Operation Coal Shovel
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards have commenced Operation Coal Shovel, seasonal domestic ice breaking operations in the southern part of Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair and Detroit River systems, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, starting Thursday, Jan. 3. The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers work together to prevent ice jams in these vital economic waterways as conditions worsen throughout the winter.
Great Lakes Coal Trade Down in October
Shipments of coal on the Great Lakes totaled 3 million net tons in October, a decrease of nearly 11 percent compared to September, and a drop of 9.6 percent compared to a year ago. The trade slumped even more – 20.7 percent – when compared to the 5-year average for October. Loadings at Lake Superior ports fell to 1.5 million tons, a decrease of 21.6 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments from Lake Michigan terminals rose 40 percent for the second straight
U.S.-Flag Lakes Float Down 5.1 Percent in July
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (“lakers”) carried 10.5 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in July, an increase of 6.6 percent compared to June, but a decrease of 5.1 percent compared to a year ago. The July float was, however, just marginally below the month’s 5-year average. Iron ore cargos for the steel industry in July totaled 4.3 million tons, a decrease of nearly 18 percent compared to a year ago. Coal cargos fell by almost 23 percent
St Lawrence Seaways: New Vessels, New Technology, Tonnage Up
New ships and new navigational technology play a part as Seaways report 2012 tonnage exceeds forecasts A number of newly built state-of-the art vessels came into service within the Seaway in 2012, boasting sharp increases in fuel efficiency and reductions in emission levels. “These new vessels, part of a billion dollar fleet renewal effort by domestic and ocean carriers, combined with our marketing efforts which have recorded 10
U.S. Flag Great Lakes Cargo Down in 2012
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters carried 89.5 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in 2012, a decrease of 4.6 percent compared to 2011. The 2012 float was 1.5 percent off the five-year average for U.S.-flag lakers. U.S.-flag lakers carried 45.2 million tons of iron ore in 2012, or 73.3 percent of the total volume of iron ore moved on the Great Lakes last year. The 45.2 million tons of iron ore carried by U.S.-flag lakers represented a decrease of 4.3 percent from 2011.
Large Dry Bulker Shipbuilding Prices Up in April
During April, 2013 new build prices for capesize, kamsarmax and ultramax vessels rose higher than in the previous month. Purchase prices for ships are often good indicators of financial health in the shipping industry. When shipping demand is expected to grow more than the supply of ships
Great Lakes Shipyard Contracted for USCG Cutter Repairs
Great Lakes Shipyard hauled out the United States Coast Guard Cutter Neah Bay (WTGB-105) using its 770-ton capacity Travelift. The repair contract, awarded to the Shipyard in early March, includes routine drydocking and underwater hull maintenance such as inspection and testing of propulsion
Ice Slows Resumption of Great Lakes Stone Trade
Heavy ice cover on the lakes that stretched well into April slowed resumption of the limestone trade. Shipments totaled only 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 28% compared to a year ago. Loadings are 21% off the month’s five-year average.
Great Lakes Ore Trade Down Nine Percent in April
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 5.6 million tons in April, a decrease of 9% compared to a year ago. However, loadings were 11% ahead of the month’s five-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 4.9 million tons, a decrease of 9.5% compared to a year ago
Great Lakes Shipyard Launches First Seacor Tugboat
Great Lakes Shipyard continues to make progress on the construction of two Aura-class tugboats for Seacor Holdings. Great Lakes Shipyard was earlier awarded contracts by Caribbean Tugz, LLC, an affiliate of Seacor Holdings, Inc., to simultaneously build the new state-of-the-art 50-ton bollard
Earlybird 2013 Great Lake Port Arrivals
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor celebrates the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway 2013 international shipping season with the recent arrival of two vessels. On March 22, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened its locks for ocean vessels from around the world to enter the Great Lakes and deliver cargo to
Great Lakes Ore Trade Down 11.3% in March
Shipments of iron ore on the Great Lakes totaled 1.9 million tons in March, a decrease of 11.3% from a year ago. Loadings were 9.3% ahead of the month’s five-year average, however. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.8 million tons, a decrease of 9.7% compared to a year ago
USGS to Receive New Great Lakes Research Vessel
The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a contract for the construction of a large research vessel for Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Superior to Burger Boat Company of Manitowoc, Wis. The vessel will replace the 38-year-old Grayling, bringing the USGS Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) large vessel
Australian Coal Port Expansion Contract
BMT & Adani Mining Pty Ltd (Adani) to design expansion at the Adani Abbot Point Coal Terminal at Abbot Point, north of Mackay, Queensland. The collaboration will involve BMT engineers from Australia (BMT WBM) and India (BMT Consultants (India)) working closely together with Adani at its
U.S.-Flag Lakers Down Seven Percent
U.S.-flag Great Lakes freighters (lakers) carried 2.2 million tons of dry-bulk cargo in March, a decrease of 7% compared to 2012. However, the fleet’s March float was marginally ahead of the month’s five-year average.
ISS Hires New Vice President
Maritime service provider Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) appointed Tim Cahill to a new role as Vice President Bulk Commodity Business Development, to target future growth in cargo services. Tim comes to the role with over thirty years’ experience in business development
Great Lakes June 2013 Symposium
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association is to present a public program featuring a range of important issues concerning the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Symposium is a first-of-its- kind public program focusing on timely legal issues impacting the Great Lakes
Interlake Steamship to Convert Lakers to LNG
Interlake Steamship moves toward upgrading its fleet to energy efficient, more environmentally friendly LNG fuel. The company has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with Shell to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to support Interlake’s conversion of its vessels
Great Lakes Towing Frees Stranded Freighter
Great Lakes Towing Company tugboats 'Wyoming' & 'Idaho' free the grounded freighter 'Spruceglen' in Lake St. Claire. The Great Lakes Towing Company, which celebrates 115 years of service this year, provides tugboat and towing services, ship assist, logistics and cargo transportation
University of Mich. To Host Panel on Low Great Lakes Levels
The University of Michigan will host a seminar and panel discussion entitled “Low Great Lakes Water Levels: Understanding the causes and potential consequences” on May 30 from 3-5 p.m. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.