American shippers on the Great Lakes intend to keep up the pressure on Washington to build a new super lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.
As the ice melts to start a new shipping season, Cleveland-based Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA) continues to petition for a second large lock built to handle the biggest and deepest freighters on the Lakes.
In 2017, the 48-year-old Poe Lock (1,200 x 110 x 32 feet) handled 90 percent of the 75 million tons that passed through the Soo Locks.
A Department of Homeland Security report estimates that 11 million Americans would lose their jobs if the Poe Lock was out of service for 6 months.
A second Poe-sized lock was authorized at full federal funding in 2007, but the LCA contends it’s been stalled by a “flawed” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study that “significantly understates its benefit/cost (b/c) ratio.”
The carriers want a new study completed soon which should show a very positive b/c ratio. A 2017 study commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department puts the project’s b/c ratio between 2.0 and 4.0, well above the level required for inclusion in an Administration budget.
The shipping season starts on March 25 with the opening of the Soo Locks.
“The fleet is ready,” said LCA president James Weakley. “Our members spent $65 million maintaining and modernizing their vessels during the winter.”
Last year U.S.-flagged ships hauled 85.7 million tons of cargo, an increase of three percent over 2016. Iron ore for steel production was the largest single commodity carried, at 46 million tons, followed by limestone at 21.55 million tons, and coal at 13.3 million tons. Cargos of cement, salt, sand, and grain approached 4.9 million tons.
The LCA isn’t making any predictions on the upcoming season as “volumes will be determined by the state of the economy.”
Besides lobbying for a second lock, LCA is also calling for another heavy U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker built for Great Lakes service.
The cargos delayed or cancelled in December and January because of heavy ice topped 1.5 million tons. Congress has authorized construction of another heavy icebreaker. LCA said its focus is now on funding the $240-million vessel.
The LCA continues to work with Congress to ensure dredging projects on the Lakes are adequately funded and is pushing for passage of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, which is federal legislation establishing a uniform standard on ballast water discharge.
