Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Mn bob wrote: July 25, 2025, 4:18 pm Maybe if Algoma central doesn’t get the contract next year and Rand gets the contract back then maybe the michipicoton will sail again if cleared and her and the Saginaw can go back to hauling to the soo!

Does anyone know the duration of the contract with Algoma Central? It would seem that it would be longer than one year in length. The start of EAF steel production will also greatly affect deliveries of taconite to Algoma Steel. I believe that there was some speculation a few years ago about Algoma Central possibly chartering the Edward L. Ryerson to move briquettes to the mill to support EAF operations but I don't know the veracity of those rumors.

Maybe if Algoma central doesn’t get the contract next year and Rand gets the contract back then maybe the michipicoton will sail again if cleared and her and the Saginaw can go back to hauling to the soo!

I doubt she’ll ever haul cargo again. I’m wondering why though they don’t tow it to Ashtabula. They would eventually recover the tow$ with less storage costs. Maybe when the cuyahoga goes to pt colborne and frees up dock space. Fraser storage costs probably aren’t cheap. Also,probably would be difficult to find a crew to sail her even if had cargo and finished required inspection and further work. I sure wouldn’t sail her!

The simple reality is if you haven't heard anything, no one else has either, unless they have an inside contact at Rand. The casual observer will only know if we see re-enter the dry dock, or see them prepping for a tow.

I'm guessing she simply isn't needed on the water right now.... but is still useful showing as an asset on paper.

All indications are that her services are currently not needed, as the contract to haul taconite to Algoma Steel went to Algoma Central this season. This was the Michipicoten’s most frequent run. So Lower Lakes isn’t pushing to complete any required inspections or repairs that Transport Canada is still requiring. The hull crack was fully repaired last summer with every intention of putting her back into service.

I don’t think any decisions will be made on the Michipicoten until either demand for her services returns or until it’s determined that the Michipicoten will never be needed again. It could be several years until a decision is made.

Just wondering IF anyone has any news or updates on them? Haven’t seen or heard too much on her status lately. Will she end up going for scrap then at the Scrapyard in Port Colborne or will she be saved and return to service? Wonder then IF she does go for scrap, maybe they are waiting for the Cuyahoga and any other ships after Cuyahoga that may be at the IMS yard or soon to be headed there to be scrapped first! The Roger Blough is still laid up long-term in Conneaut and with her size at 858 X 105 I would think anyway that it would take a while to scrap her due to her enormous size! The Cuyahoga as small as she is size wise, shouldn’t take long and if Michipicoten is sent to scrap she shouldn’t take long either to scrap since she is close to 700 feet in length, just my thoughts only here on this subject & matter is all.