The Joseph L. Block kicks off the shipping season at the Soo Locks

Brendan Wiesner, Sault Ste. Marie News
·1 min read
The Joseph L. Block was the first freighter to come through the Poe Lock on Friday, March 22, 2024 to mark the beginning of the shipping season.
The Joseph L. Block was the first freighter to come through the Poe Lock on Friday, March 22, 2024 to mark the beginning of the shipping season.

SAULT STE. MARIE — The opening of the Soo Locks each year is a sure sign that spring is in full swing and the shipping season is underway.

Hundreds of people lined up along the Sault waterfront on Friday, March 22 to see the Soo Locks welcome the first freighter of the season. The Joseph L. Block freighter, coming from Sturgeon Bay, was the first to pass through the locks at 6 p.m. on Friday as it made its way to Two Harbors to pick up taconite ore for iron production.

Workers on board the Joseph L. Block and at the Soo Locks work together to tie off the massive freighter on Friday, March 22, 2024.
Workers on board the Joseph L. Block and at the Soo Locks work together to tie off the massive freighter on Friday, March 22, 2024.

The 700-foot self-discharging bulk carrier was built in 1976 and has been crisscrossing the Great Lakes ever since.

The Soo Locks close every winter to undergo maintenance but reopen in the spring when the shipping season starts back up.

The Poe Lock, the larger of the two locks in operation, was opened on Friday while the smaller MacArthur Lock will stay closed until April.

The 700-foot Joseph L. Block freighter has been in operation on the Great Lakes for almost 50 years transporting raw iron ore.
The 700-foot Joseph L. Block freighter has been in operation on the Great Lakes for almost 50 years transporting raw iron ore.

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The Poe Lock was opened several days early this year to accommodate for the needs of the shipping industry because a mild winter allowed for more work to be done during the maintenance season.

"The mild weather certainly lends a lot of ease in terms of early access up and down the river," said Jeff Harrington, chief of operations. "We're excited to have water in the lock again and we're looking forward to the season."

Hundreds of Soo residents and visitors watched the first freighter of the year come through the Poe Lock on Friday, March 22, 2024 from the visitor center.
Hundreds of Soo residents and visitors watched the first freighter of the year come through the Poe Lock on Friday, March 22, 2024 from the visitor center.
The Soo Locks gates stay closed for several months in the winter to allow for maintenance.
The Soo Locks gates stay closed for several months in the winter to allow for maintenance.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: The Joseph L. Block kicks off the 2024 shipping season at the Soo Locks