Great Lakes Season Opens With Grain, Stone, and Steel

The 2026 navigation season is in full swing across the Great Lakes, with multiple vessels moving cargo in all directions as the network springs to life after winter. On April 12 alone, downbound traffic included the *Algosolis* (headed to Sept-Îles), the *EK-River* (Montreal, in ballast), the *Algoma Equinox* (Baie Comeau), and the *Hinch Spirit* (Montreal), while upbound vessels like the *Polsteam Lebsko* pushed toward Cleveland and the *Federal Columbia* made for Hamilton. This mix of loaded and light passages reflects the returning rhythm of the inland waterway. A notable milestone came earlier in the week when McKeil Marine's newly acquired *Ontario Venture* loaded the first cargo from Parrish & Heimbecker's brand-new grain terminal at Picton, Ontario. The vessel departed Saturday, April 12, carrying wheat and soybeans bound for P&H's Quebec City terminal—a historic first shipment from what is McKeil's newest addition to its fleet and the region's newest inland grain facility. Meanwhile, on the lower lakes, the *Wilfred Sykes* took on stone at Calcite, Michigan, on Friday, marking that port's first seasonal load, before moving to Port Dolomite for additional cargo. Water levels remain favorable across the system. Lake Ontario is running 2.74 feet above Low Water Datum, while Lake Erie checks in at 2.16 feet—the highest marks on the lakes right now. Lake Michigan sits 1.26 feet above, Lake Superior at 0.90 feet, and Lake Huron at 1.05 feet, all supporting normal passage for lakers and salties alike. Wave heights remain modest, with 1- to 2-foot conditions forecast this week as a series of weak disturbances move across the basin. As the season settles in, the broader Great Lakes region continues conversations about climate resilience and clean energy. Recent reporting has examined whether the Great Lakes are becoming a climate refuge for those seeking freshwater security, while communities across Michigan are organizing grassroots "Solarize" programs to expand access to renewable energy—reflecting a growing commitment to protecting these waters for generations of lake commerce ahead. ---