Winter 2019 Great Lakes Salt Runs

[Steamcrane]

Calumet has loaded salt at least twice in Fairport this week. Apparently very short runs, possibly to Cleveland or Erie. In the past, salt has been taken from Fairport to the old Cleveland Furnace dock.

[Guest]

Don't the new Algoma boats have their cargo holds lined with a material that resists corrosion? I thought that was part of the plan so that they could carry salt.

I think the coatings are designed to make the material flow better, not resist corrosion.

As for why they're on the salt runs and not the older Buffalo or Compass; the Niagara and Sault carry more and they're efficient. Why spend all that money on new boats then have them sit out so they might last longer ? They're assets, made to do a job and earn money for their owner. They don't do that sitting at the wall. You can do that at home when you have two cars; a beater for everyday and a princess in the garage that only comes out on sunny weekends. Just my two cents....

[Jon Paul]

Don't the new Algoma boats have their cargo holds lined with a material that resists corrosion? I thought that was part of the plan so that they could carry salt.

[Shipwatcher1]

I would have figured the Buffalo and Compass would have been selected for the winter salt duty. Very surprised they were both spared from that this year.

[NE]

Wow kind of supprised algoma is already putting there newest boats on the salt run must not be planning on running them for more then 15 yrs or till the salt rots them out i can already tell they are not built as good as the ones they sent for scrap this past season

Algorail and way was in the salt trade for nearly 50 yrs!

[Guest]

The Transport and Enterprise have reclaimer systems in their holds for their unloading systems. I would imagine they'd be far too mechanicaly complicated to be useful in the salt trades. It makes sense that the sisters would be kept on the coal and ore routes.

Used to work on the Enterprise, reclaimer worked well on salt we carried it all the time.

[Ben Larson]

Wow kind of supprised algoma is already putting there newest boats on the salt run must not be planning on running them for more then 15 yrs or till the salt rots them out i can already tell they are not built as good as the ones they sent for scrap this past season

[Paul in Detroit]

The Transport and Enterprise have reclaimer systems in their holds for their unloading systems. I would imagine they'd be far too mechanicaly complicated to be useful in the salt trades. It makes sense that the sisters would be kept on the coal and ore routes.

[tugboathunter]

The Algoma Transport got her 5-year and paint last winter at Verreault, so she should have five more seasons until the next one. Algoma Enterprise got her last survey and paint in the winter of 2014/2015 at Port Weller, so she should have two more seasons until the next one.

[Denny]

Exactly what I was thinking too Guest as far as why Algoma decided not to use either the Enterprise or Transport this Winter on those salt runs. As for are they next in line for the scrappers? I don’t know on that one but, prior to the 2018 season the Transport’s paint job was looking very bad IMO and not sure but I think she may have gotten repainted last winter maybe at Les Mechins? The Enterprise on the other hand I can’t say with her as I did not see her last year and only saw her once in 2017 but she was loaded and not empty so couldn’t tell on her paint!

[Guest]

I'm surprised that Algoma isn't using the Algoma Enterprise and Algoma Transport on the salt runs as they are probably among the next in line for the scrapyard.

[tugboathunter]

A normally reliable source claimed that Algoma will carry salt with the Innovator, Niagara, and Sault this winter. The Frontenac should also be running salt the rest of this month and I’m not sure what other CSL or LLT vessels will be working.

[Guest]

Algoma Innovator arrived today in Muskegon around 10am and began unloading salt. First salt delivery in Muskegon to restock what was used last winter. Remaining pile was pretty small. Likely see another couple loads.

[Denny]

Anyone know what ships will be running the Winter 2019 Salt Runs? Noticed that the Algoma Innovator and Frontenac have been carrying a few loads of salt. With a few Algoma and CSL lakers now in layup this Winter, I don’t see too many left out there to be carrying salt loads for this winter. In years past Algoma would usually handle the salt loads but the Algowood and Jackman are both finished and in Montreal, while the Algoma Enterprise and Transport are also laid up. One of the new ones for Algoma either the Niagara or Sault is I think laid up? Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.