Cargo Business Newswire

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Great Lakes shipping season opens

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Soo Locks early Friday morning, signaling the start of the Great Lakes navigation season. The Roger Blough cleared the Poe Lock around 1:32 a.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard says ice coverage across the Great Lakes never significantly impacted commercial navigation. Still, the seven vessels assigned to clear the Western Great Lakes logged 1,200 hours of ice breaking in support of shipping.

While the locks were closed, winter maintenance took place.

Projects included the installation of a hydraulic system for the Poe Lock; anchorage repairs and other work on the Poe Lock; and work on the MacArthur Lock's electrical modernization.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates Soo Locks on the St. Marys River, lifting and lowering vessels moving between Lakes Huron and Superior.

For more of the Click on Detroit story: www.clickondetroit.com