Marine Highway

The latest developments and news affecting operations, conditions, and improvements of the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System.

Regional Ocean Partnerships Might Mean New Opportunities for the Great Lakes

In June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published draft guidance that would allow new Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROP), including ones on the Great Lakes. ROPs have been around... Read More

Expanding Great Lakes Trade

The Ohio River flows within 100 miles of Lake Erie in northeast Ohio. Connecting the river and lake with a canal would facilitate trade between Great Lakes ports and numerous... Read More

Corps of Engineers Releases Final FY2024 Great Lakes Maintenance Program

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released its final navigation work plan for FY2024. The plan details specific amounts to be spent on dredging, structure maintenance and other priorities... Read More

New Poe Lock Arrestor Arm is Largest U.S. Civil Works Component Produced by 3D Printer

The largest U.S. civil works component produced by 3D printer has been installed on the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In early March, the U.S. Army Corps of... Read More

St. Lawrence Seaway Begins 66th Navigation Season

The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System’s 66th navigation season is now underway. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) joined its partner,... Read More

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Proposal & the Great Lakes

The Biden Administration has released its budget proposal for all federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2025, which will begin on October 1. This year’s budget process coincides with FY2024, because... Read More

Soo Locks to Open Early for 2024 Shipping Season

The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, will open the Poe Lock to all marine traffic at 6 p.m. on March 22, marking the start of the 2024 Great... Read More

Great Lakes See Lowest Ice Coverage in Decades

The unusually warm winter has significantly affected ice coverage on the Great Lakes. In mid-February, the ice extent across all the lakes was the lowest it has been in more... Read More

Nearly 38 Million Metric Tons Transit System in 2023

Nearly 38 million metric tons (mmt) of cargo transited the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System in 2023. This resulted in an overall increase of more than 3.4 percent compared to... Read More

Davie Purchases Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard Oy

Canada’s largest shipbuilder, Davie Shipbuilding, has acquired Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard Oy, the world’s leading builder of icebreakers and ice-class ships. While both shipyards will remain separate legal entities, the business... Read More

MARAD Awards Grants to Eight Marine Highway Projects, Including One in Wisconsin

the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded nearly $12 million in grants to eight marine highway projects across the nation, including one on the Great Lakes, under the... Read More