Harsh weather conditions affect operations in Great Lakes region

Shipping around the Great Lakes region is being severely hampered by the early advent of cold and severe winter conditions. 

The United States Coast Guard stated that, as a result, it has initiated a second icebreaker effort from the Detroit area. 

Shippers nonetheless claim that operations are being affected, including the postponement of the St. Lawrence Seaway’s yearly closure.

Severe weather causing problems since December

Shippers said that the severe weather started earlier in December, and the amount of ice has grown in recent days. For instance, last weekend’s coverage of Lake Erie increased from 24 per cent to more than 31 per cent. 

Other locations, such as the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway, have seen similar problems, The Maritime Executive reported.

There are reports of congestion and groups of ships waiting for relief. According to WWNY, ice is building around seven ships that are waiting close to the locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway. 

In order to get to Montreal before the St. Lawrence Seaway closes, they are hurrying to evacuate the region.

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Authorities’ launch second relief effort

The region’s second yearly initiative, called Operation Coal Shovel, concentrates on the area between Lake Huron’s southernmost point, the St. Clair-Detroit River, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. 

It covers sections of the St. Lawrence Seaway with the intention of creating channels for ships transporting vital supplies like food and heating oil, as well as access for villages that are frozen.

The operation started on January 2 and is being managed by the Detroit Sector.

Meanwhile, Operation Taconite, which targets Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, was started by the US Coast Guard in mid-December. 

To keep shipping going during the season, the US Coast Guard is maintaining co-operation with the Canadian Coast Guard.

On December 22, the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation announced that ice-breaking services were being provided by the Canadian Coast Guard.

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