Cargo Business Newswire

Monday, April 7, 2014

Ice stalls Great Lakes shipping season

Although the shipping season on the Great Lakes officially started a week ago, no commercial ship has passed through the Soo Locks because significant ice remains on a big area of the northern lakes.

The Coast Guard says it doesn’t expect to wrap its ice-breaking efforts until well into May.

The Ninth Coast Guard District is down to two icebreakers after one was docked because of a broken rudder, said Levi Read, a second-class petty officer with the Ninth Coast Guard District External Affairs Office.

Aside from ice already floating on the lakes, there are other impediments for commercial ships, including chunks up to 8-feet thick and stiff winds. So once crews finally create a clear path, Read said the wind closes it by pushing the ice together.

"The commercial shipping season is definitely slowed down, almost to a halt," he said. "There is warmer weather coming, so we hope that helps."

For more of the MLive story: www.mlive.com