Saginaw River Report - September 2023

There were a total of 18 commercial vessel passages on the Saginaw River for the month of September 2023, with 9 different docks receiving 25 separate deliveries of product, accounting for split cargos that are delivered to more than one dock. This represents 6 fewer passages than last year in September 2022, and is less than the 5-year average of 22 passages, the 10-year average of 220, and the 15-year average of 19 vessel passages for the month of September.

For the total number of commercial vessel passages for the year-to-date, there have been 114. This number is less than the total from last year at this point when there were 130 deliveries. Looking at the averages, it is a decrease compared to the 5-year average of 128 passages, but an increase over the 10-year average of 109 passages, and the 15-year average of 107 vessel passages.

Saginaw River Passage - September 24, 2023 - Part 3

NACC Antigua on the Saginaw River, headed to the Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville to unload. She was assisted by the tug Manitou. This is the first ever visit to the Saginaw River by a Nova-Algoma Cement boat. NACC Antigua brought a split cargo of cement from Algeria to unload at Detroit and Essexville. Demand for product has been very high and there have already been 22 deliveries this season with about three more months to go. There were a total of 26 the entire season last year.

Saginaw River Passage - September 24, 2023 - Part 2

NACC Antigua inbound on the Saginaw River, assisted by Manitou to the Holcim Cement Dock in Essexville, with American Courage backing into the slip at Port Fisher.

Saginaw River Passage - September 24, 2023 - Part 1

American Courage inbound from Saginaw Bay, headed for the Port Fisher Slip to unload for Bay Aggregates. Manitou can be seen headed outbound to escort NACC Antigua.

Saginaw River Passage - September 14, 2023

Sharon M I/Huron Spirit on the Saginaw River, in the slip at Port Fisher, unloading for Bay Aggregates.

Saginaw River Passage - September 13, 2023

Robert S. Pierson, making her first visit to the Saginaw River since 2020, unloading at the Wirt Stone Dock in Saginaw.

Saginaw River Passage - September 10, 2023

John J. Boland on the Saginaw River, in the slip at Port Fisher, unloading for Bay Aggregates.