Detroit Agencies Perform Maritime Security Exercise
Detroit Coast Guard members are participating in a Southeast Michigan Area Maritime Security Committee multi-agency table-top exercise Wednesday at the Detroit Fire Department Regional Training Center. The purpose of this exercise is to test plans and policies of federal, provincial, state and local area agencies in response to a transportation security incident. In accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program, a table-top exercise is a discussion based exercise. There will not be any resources deployed directly as a result of this exercise. More than 150 participants from 50 agencies are expected to participate in the exercise.
US Ports Begin 2015 ‘Fast and Furious’
Even with a blip due to ice coverage in late March and early April, U.S. ports along the Great Lakes-Seaway System are tracking ahead of tonnage moved in April 2014. In fact, most ports are seeing increases in multiple categories. “In 2015 we are excited to continue the momentum from 2014 when we finished the season with a 20 percent increase in overall tonnage,” said Paul Toth, President and CEO of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority. “There has been a good mix of marine cargo traffic early on in 2015,” said Joe Cappel, Vice President of Business Development for the Port Authority.
Intermodal Short Sea Barge Operation Completed
The Great Lakes Towing Company completed an Intermodal Short Sea barge move utilizing the Port of Cleveland’s Rail Loop and the Port’s switching line, Cleveland Harbor Belt Railroad. Norfolk & Southern interchanged the rail car carrying the 114 metric ton transformer to Cleveland Harbor Belt Railroad to bring the railcar via the loop to the dock-face under the Port’s heavy lift crane. The cargo was transferred to a barge and was towed by the Tug OHIO to Marysville, Michigan for delivery to DTE Energy Electric Company (formerly The Detroit Edison Company).
Storms Cut Power to Over 600,000 in Michigan, Illinois
More than 600,000 electric customers in Michigan and Illinois lost power at the height of storms that brought heavy winds and lightning, ripping up trees, downing power lines and leaving at least two people dead, officials said on Saturday. An Illinois woman died Saturday of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a falling tree and a Michigan man was electrocuted after touching a power line, local media said. Molly Glynn, 46, died at NorthShore Evanston Hospital on Saturday, hospital spokeswoman Colette Urban said. She had been brought to the hospital in critical condition on Friday. Glynn was a long-time actress in Chicago, appearing at the Steppenwolf and other theaters mainly, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Port of Monroe Reports Record 2013 Tonnage
The 2013 shipping season was a record-setter for the Port of Monroe (located on Lake Erie and bisected by the River Raisin, the Port of Monroe is Michigan’s only port on the Lake). Nearly 2.2 million metric tons of cargo was handled by the port, marking what is seen as the beginning of a period of revival. Port Director, Paul C.LaMarre said: "In 2013, we had 97 vessel calls: 81 to DTE Energy's Monroe Power Plant carrying bulk, three carrying project cargo (two of which were Seaway tonnage), and 13 liquid asphalt cargoes to Michigan Paving & Materials.
New Cargos Boost St. Lawrence Seaway Commerce
Despite a downturn in overall cargo movements through the St. Lawrence Seaway in July (down 12.5% over 2012), new cargos and new vessels signaled continued confidence in the future of the navigation system. Several U.S. ports welcomed a variety of heavy lift cargos destined for projects throughout the region. “Twice during July, McKeil Marine Ltd. has called at the Port of Monroe to deliver heavy-lift industrial components,” said Monroe port director Paul LaMarre. “These project pieces were manufactured by Cherubini Metal Workers Ltd in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and will be installed in the last of four Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Units at DTE Energy’s Monroe Power Plant.
HB Rentals Names New VP
HB Rentals, a Superior Energy Services company, has named Peter Armstrong as vice president of business development, announced Deidre Toups, HB Rentals president. Based in Houston, Armstrong’s responsibilities include new market analysis, managing the corporate marketing function and driving growth through global customer relationships. Consistent with HB Rentals’ global focus on innovation, Armstrong will work closely with international customers in both the onshore and offshore remote living accommodations markets to identify needs and analyze potential solutions.
Tugs Move Grounded Freighter in Great Lakes
According to a report from the Associated Press, on Dec. 26, seven tugboats succeeded in moving a 579-ft coal-hauling Great Lakes freighter that was grounded for two days in the Detroit River south of Detroit. The McKee Sons ran aground Dec. 24 near Grosse Ile while trying to dock at a DTE Energy Co. electrical power station. (Source: AP)
