Shipping Industry

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Active Community Articles

Post your citizen journalism articles here. Anything pertaining to the shipping industry on the Great Lakes is welcome.
Coast Guard weighing concerns about live fire weapons training on the Great Lakes

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Outside Reports

What would happen if the St. Lawrence Seaway were closed to ocean-going vessels?

A recent study suggests closing the St. Lawrence Seaway to saltwater ships may be the most economical way to deal with invasive species in the Great Lakes.

U.S. eases limits on shipping Great Lakes fish

Responding to industry complaints, the federal government has modified restrictions on shipments of some live Great Lakes fish aimed at preventing the spread of a deadly aquatic virus.

Lake Superior hits lowest fall level in 80 years

Lake Superior's late-autumn water levels are at their lowest in 80 years, sparking concerns that the rapid fall of the world's largest freshwater lake could hurt shipping, shorelines and fish populations.

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History

Marquette and Bessemer 2, sank in Lake Erie in 1909

Shipping on the Great Lakes began in 1679 when the first ship to sail the upper lakes, the Griffon, was launched. By the mid-19th century, the bulk shipping industry had begun on the Great Lakes with the transport of iron ore, wheat and coal. The late 19th century was the Golden Age of Great Lakes shipping when the lines of ships moving up and down the lakes were similar to the bumper-to-bumper traffic of today's urban roadways. Since then, the number of ships on the Great Lakes has declined, but U.S. and Canadian ships as well as dozens of international vessels still regularly travel through the lakes during the typical 10-month shipping season.

Taken from Wisconsin's Water Library

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Types of Ships

William A. Irvin, built in 1938

The largest ships that travel in the Great Lakes are designed to carry bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, machinery, steel and stone. Others include commercial fishing vessels, tankers, and day excursion boats.

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Lakes Bulk Freighter

These ships are commonly called "lakers" and were invented in the Great Lakes. lakers range from 500-1000 feet in length and are disel powered, reaching speeds of up to 15 knots. There are two varieties: self-unloaders and straight-deck bulk carriers. Crews generally number from 21-27 people.

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Tug barge

Many older bulk freighters are converted to tugboats, a developing trend in the 1990s.

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Ocean-going Vessels

The Wislanes, 1992

Foreign vessels travelling on the Great Lakes from the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway. More than 800 ocean vessels transit the lakes every year, from 60 registered countries.

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Major Cargoes

Since 1959, more than 2 billion metric tons of cargo valued at $300 billion have been shipped through the Great Lakes. Cargo traffic has decreased substantially due to the convenience of trucking and railroads. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, iron and other ores such as copper were shipped south on (downbound ships) and supplies, food staples, and coal was shipped north (upbound).
In 2002, 162 million tons of bulk cargo was transported on the Great Lakes. They were, in order of volume: iron ore, coal, stone, grain, salt, cement and potash.
Iron Ore and Mining Products
Iron/Steel Products
Agricultural Products
Petroleum Products and Chemicals

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