Port Inland News

The newly built Mark W. Barker, the United States' first new Great Lakes bulk carrier in nearly 40 years, has embarked on its maiden voyage from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.“This is a monumental day for our company and the U.S. flag fleet as our much-anticipated freighter departs on her first voyage in what will be a long life of service on the Great Lakes,” said Mark W. Barker, President of The Interlake Steamship Company and namesake of the vessel—the company’s first new build since 1981.

Great lakes limestone shipments totaled just 1,254,226 net tons in April, a decrease of 23 percent compared to a year ago as the coldest April in more than two decades put a chill on the trade. According to the Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA), loadings trailed the month’s five-year average by even more – 33.3 percent.Loadings at U.S. ports totaled 1.1 million tons, a decrease of 19 percent, while shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 177,000 tons, a decrease of nearly 41 percent…

The Port of Barcelona is pursuing an active policy to increase the competitive edge of its customers, fostering the development of efficient and operational services that respond to their needs for international shipping and logistics services. To do this, it provides port companies, customers and users with various tools such as multi-sectoral business missions, specialised courses and seminars on foreign trade matters. Now it has incorporated the methodology of a company called GettingContacts, which provides networking with a customised agenda, which has proven to be a high-performance format especially designed to provide a rapid response to the needs of transport and logistics companies.

CMA CGM has signed an agreement with the Port of Virginia to add the Port of Richmond as a destination for shippers booking cargo on its ships. The Port Virginia announced a cooperative effort with ocean carrier CMA CGM that will greatly enhance service at the Port of Richmond, an upriver barge terminal located on Interstate 95 that extends the port’s inland reach by 90 miles. The growing, world-wide ocean carrier is offering a Richmond bill of lading to the shipping public, both importers and exporters. Any shipper tendering cargo to or from CMA CGM at the Port of Richmond will have access to multiple ports worldwide that are served by the ocean carrier.

Shipments from U.S. ports dipped 4 percent, but loadings out of Canadian quarries rose 12.5 percent. Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 27.1 million tons in 2014, a decrease of 1.8 percent from 2013 and a drop of 2.1 percent compared to the trade’s long-term average. The decline Lakeswide largely reflects the significant delays in resuming shipments in the spring. Heavy ice formations covered the Lakes and loadings in April were down nearly 50 percent. Even in May shipments lagged the previous year by 8 percent. U.S.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.5 million tons in September, an increase of 6.2% compared to a year ago. The September total was, however, 4.9% below August’s tally. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 3 million tons, an increase of 8.1% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries – 467,000 tons – dipped by the equivalent of one cargo in a 767-foot-long laker. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 19.9 million tons, a decrease of 2.9% compared to a year ago, and 6% below the long-term average for the first three quarters. U.S.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.6 million tons in August, an increase of 3.7% compared to July, and 12.8% better than a year ago. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 3.15 million tons, an increase of 18.1% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries slipped by nearly 13%, falling to 485,000 tons. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 16.5 million tons, a decrease of 4.6% compared to a year ago, and 7% below the long-term average for the January-August timeframe. U.S. ports: Calcite, Mich.; Cedarville, Mich.; Drummond Island, Mich.; Kellys Island, Ohio; Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Mich. and Presque Isle, Mich. Kellys Island ceased shipping in fall 2009. Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).

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. Shipments from U.S. ports totaled 1.6 million tons, a decrease of 24% compared to a year ago. Loadings at Canadian quarries totaled 247,670 tons, a decrease of nearly 50% from last year. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 2.1 million tons, a decrease of 22% compared to a year ago, and 12% below the five-year average for the January-April timeframe. U.S. ports: Calcite, Mich.; Cedarville, Mich.; Drummond Island, Mich.; Kellys Island, Ohio; Marblehead, Ohio; Port Inland, Mich.and Presque Isle, Mich. Kellys Island ceased shipping in fall 2009.

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 27,145,219 tons in 2012, a decrease of 3.6 percent compared to 2011. The trade was 7 percent below its 5-year average. Shipments from U.S. ports fell 2.4 percent when compared to 2011, and slightly more – 4.1 percent – when compared to their 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian quarries decreased 9 percent compared to 2011, and slipped almost 19 percent compared to their 5-year average. Falling water levels and the dredging crisis took a toll in 2012. By year’s end, a vessel that has carried as much as 35,457 tons in a single trip averaged only 29,796 tons on the three stone loads it moved in December. The cargos were loaded at a quarry on Lake Huron and that body of water has fallen to a new record low. U.S.

Another Good Month for Lakes Limestone; Up 16 Percent in May. Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3,355,389 net tons in May, an increase of 30 percent compared to April and 15.6 percent better than a year ago. However, shipments were down 9.3 percent compared to the month’s 5-year average. The strongest gains came at U.S. ports. Loadings rose by 380,000 tons, or 16.2 percent. Shipments from Canadian quarries increased by 73,000 tons, or 13.2 percent. Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at 6.1 million net tons…

Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.8 million net tons in August, an increase of 4 percent over July, and an increase of 14 percent compared to a year ago. Shipments were also just about even with August’s 5-year average. Shipments from U.S. quarries increased 22 percent compared to a year ago and slightly bettered the month’s 5-year average. Loadings at Canadian quarries were off roughly 15 percent compared to both a year ago and August’s 5-year average. Through August the limestone trade stands at 16.1 million tons…

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge announced a new weekly short-sea shipping service for containers via barge to the Port of New Orleans. This regular service is scheduled weekly to facilitate demand from local industry. Osprey Line operates the container terminal at the Baton Rouge port’s Inland Rivers Marine Terminal and launched the first weekly shipment Friday, January 9, 2004 to the Napoleon Street Wharf Container Terminal in New Orleans. Osprey Line President Rick Couch said, “With this weekly container-on-barge shipping schedule, local companies who import and export products to and from the Port of New Orleans can take advantage of lower transportation costs. Most products can be moved by container-on-barge.

Inland Rivers Marine Terminal. 5,000 linear feet of water frontage on the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The land was purchased from 11 heirs of the Hummel estate. million purchase was brokered by Marc Barker of Latter & Blum Realtors. goals and strategies for economic development. is slated for a possible barge docking facility and industrial development. The land offers ready access to U.S. Union Pacific Railroad. route to Houston by 170 miles. there. Plans are underway for development of the property. "Baton Rouge is a great place to do business and to bring business. our goal at the port. business for our region.

The Port of Greater Baton Rouge recently purchased a parcel of land strategically located adjacent to the port's Inland Rivers Marine Terminal. The purchase includes 140 acres of land with 5,000 linear feet of water frontage on the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The land was purchased from 11 heirs of the Hummel estate. The $1.675 million purchase was brokered by Marc Barker of Latter & Blum Realtors. Port of Greater Baton Rouge CEO Roger Richard said, "Purchasing the land was a recommendation from the port's Millennium Plan." Developed for the port in 2002, the Millennium Plan is a blueprint for the port's future, outlining goals and strategies for economic development.

The Port Authority launched a unique barge and rail cargo distribution network that will provide jobs and economic activity for the region, speed the flow of goods to consumer markets in the region and help reduce highway truck traffic. The Port of Albany will become the first Northeast port to participate in the program. The Port Inland Distribution Network will move containerized cargo by barge or rail between marine terminal facilities in the New York-New Jersey area and regional terminals in New York, New Jersey and three other Northeast states. Local trucking will then be used to bring the cargo from the regional port facility to its ultimate customer location. New York Governor George E.