St. Clair

[ashland69]

St. Clair is upbound in the St. Clair Flats at 4pm Friday the 26th.

[Denny]

As I type this now at 12:55 p.m. on October 26, the St. Clair appears to be tied up in Detroit probably taking on fuel before heading up bound on their first run of the 2018 season. Good at least to see them back out again and in action this year. Hope to see them sometime next month maybe on the St. Clair River. On an off subject note, hope that with them coming out this fall that maybe next year we will see the return of both the American Courage and the Arthur M. Anderson. At least one can hope can’t they?

[Guest]

She has departed Erie

[garbear]

St. Clair is on the HarborLookout schedule here in Duluth showing her to load at BNSF #5 in Superior on Oct. 28th.

[Denny]

So then next week Thursday or Friday possibly then and perhaps?

[orangeshirt]

I would look for them to leave as soon as ABS and Coast Guard finish their inspections, possibly Thursday if all goes well.

[Denny]

Any word yet on when they might be leaving from Erie? Thank You.

[Guest]

Assuming that the St. Clair does run this year, the only two other ships I know of that could possibly sail next year in the US fleet would be the Arthur M. Anderson and American Courage. The Manistee, John Sherwin, and Edward L. Ryerson are all in long term layups and would need an extensive amount of work to reenter service. There is very little excess capacity remaining in the US fleet, or the Canadian fleet for that matter.

[Denny]

Okay so with the news possibly of “All the fleets running their ships at least next year” could this possibly mean ones like the Anderson maybe could be back out sailing again? Yeah I know she’d need lots of work done first and lots of TLC on her but, who’s the ones reporting right now at least that all the fleets ships may be running next year? Cmon one can at least hope anyway on that news and word if every fleet will have all their ships out next year, maybe ones like the Anderson and a few that haven’t sailed in a while will be back again. Wishful thinking but would sure be nice to see the Ryerson at least come back out again but I suppose that’s only a dream and not reality in today’s economics and times. Again, one can at least have hope with that news of possibly all the fleets running their ships next year!

[Guest]

Cleveland-Cliffs had a year-over-year for the second quarter of 2018 of 38% in production. They're forecasting continued strong demand in 2019 as the tariffs start to affect steel contracts set to expire in January.

Some talk of the Sherwin coming out in 2021... we'll see on that front!!

[Bob]

Was wondering why asc and other fleets would be running all there ships next year? Is there going to be more ore and coal to haul than in years past? I know the economy has picked up but didn't think the steel industry has made that much progress to warrant all the ships for every company to sail next year.

[garbear]

Just saw some photos of the St. Clair on Facebook. Her hull looks great with a fresh coat of paint.

[dl]

That is coming from ASC they are investing in the Courage this winter and plan to run all vessels. From what ASC has said it sounds like every fleet is gonna be running everything next year.

[Denny]

I don’t suppose it will happen though but, if that news is true about ASC running everything next year is there any chance they may consider to rename a ship for Adam E. Cornelius? Since the Adam E. Cornelius went to Algoma this year and is now the Algoma Compass, ASC has always had a ship with the Adam E. Cornelius name. At one point, I thought that some had suggested on this board from news and rumors they’ve seen and heard that it was talked of possibly the American Courage being renamed. Of course obviously that hadn’t happened so far but, if ASC plans to run everything next season just leaves speculation if it could happen? Never say never folks as I always say wait and see then what happens next and if it does happen.

[Shipwatcher1]

Yes, I believe she had her 5yr and she is sailing the rest of this year and my sources tell me next year all ASC boats will run. Not sure her destination but I heard rumor of ore from Superior for Gary.

So it's possible then we might see some activity on the Courage in near future?

[dl]

Yes, I believe she had her 5yr and she is sailing the rest of this year and my sources tell me next year all ASC boats will run. Not sure her destination but I heard rumor of ore from Superior for Gary.

[Duluthian]

The St Clair was moved out of dry dock in Erie with a freshly painted hull.

The St. Clair is now showing up on AIS. Looks like she might sail after all. No destination as of yet.

Stephen, do you know if she had her 5-year inspection while in drydock?

[ckoster]

The St. Clair is now broadcasting an AIS signal.

[Denny]

Think she could be as there was talk maybe of her coming out later this year sometime this fall. Keep in mind and remember too that last year she came out late but it was in July much earlier than this year though. Also last year, ASC used her exclusively in the limestone trade mostly hauling to Lake Michigan Ports although she did make a few trips down to Lake Erie destinations with stone. She did carry some ore cargoes and maybe some coal but, it was mostly stone. If she does come out it will be interesting to see what cargoes ASC has planned for her next? Sorry to ramble on but, hope this answers your question.

[guest]

Is she coming out this year?