Fox River Blockage Idles Port; Pulp Vessels Wait

Chris Izworski, reporting from Bay City for the Great Lakes Gazette, turns to a frustrating spring snapshot from Green Bay: the Port of Green Bay remains effectively shut down due to high water and navigation hazards in the Fox River, with closure approaching a full month and costing area businesses millions in lost commerce. Three loaded vessels—the tanker *Algotitan* from Sarnia, Ontario, and the cargo ships *Edenborg* and *Erieborg*—sit anchored north of the Green Bay channel entrance, each carrying Finnish wood pulp bound for inland mills. A fourth vessel, the *Eeborg*, is currently transiting the St. Clair River with the same destination. Port officials project it will be at least another week before cargo ships can safely navigate the Fox River again. Earlier diversions tell the story: the tug-barge unit *Albert/Margaret* waited weeks before giving up and routing to Milwaukee, as did the cement barges *Amrize*, which have since relocated. Water levels across the system remain elevated heading into May. Lake Erie sits 3.12 feet above Low Water Datum—the highest of the five lakes—while Lake Ontario checks in at 3.78 feet above datum. Lake Superior, at 1.53 feet above datum at the Sault, remains cooler and slower to warm. National Weather Service forecasts show light to moderate wave activity across all lakes through the weekend, with a cold front sweeping Lake Huron and Erie Saturday night bringing showers. On a brighter note, Sault Ste. Marie's 2026 cruise season is officially open. The Victory I recently docked at Carbide Dock with guests, marking the start of 65 cruise ship visits scheduled between the Valley Camp and Carbide docks for the season—a boost to local tourism even as cargo operators wait for the Fox River corridor to clear.