Salt water vessels on the North American Great Lakes

[Magogman]

The number of salt water vessels transiting the Great Lakes of the United States and Canada continues to decrease sharply in anticipation of the December 29 closing of the Welland Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Normally during the shipping season an average of about 30 salt water vessels are on the lakes and Seaway at any given time.  Today, Dec 21, only 8 salt water vessels remain on the lakes and most of those are downbound through the system.

Although the Welland Canal will close on December 29, the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie will remain open until about January 10 allowing for Great Lakes bulkers and tankers to continue transiting between Lake Superior and the lower lakes.  Weather conditions throughout the Great Lakes continue to be very mild with ice free conditions throughout the lakes although Lake Superior water levels are near a historical low due to extreme drought in the region.  Last winter saw near continual navigation in Lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie, especially for salt shipments out of the ports servicing salt mines and unless there is a drastic change in the climate, some degree of navigation will continue at least well into January, if not later.