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    Shipping and Logistics

    Great Lakes Shipping Season Winds Down

    Written by Sandy Williams


    Another shipping season on the Great Lakes is drawing to a close. Lake carriers are busy moving coal and ore to steel mills in the region to build stocks for the winter before heavy ice overtakes the lakes. The Soo Locks and St. Lawrence Seaway are scheduled to close for the season on Jan. 15. During the eight-week hiatus, ships are overhauled and the locks receive updates and repairs.

    Winter weather has already caused complications at the Duluth port. Heavy ice on the Aerial Lift Bridge at the port’s entry caused it to stick in the down position for more than two days last week. Ships were diverted to the Superior Entry, a longer route adding shipping costs for carriers.

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