Last Freighter Passes Soo Locks Before Winter Closure
The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, have officially closed for the winter season following the passage of the American Spirit, the last Great Lakes freighter to navigate the locks for the 2025-26 shipping season. The vessel, carrying over 51,000 tons of iron ore, completed its journey late on January 15, 2026, as temperatures dipped to minus 2 degrees. The locks will remain closed until March 25, 2026, for essential maintenance and upgrades.
Final Passage and Maintenance Plans
The American Spirit, a 1,004-foot-long bulk freighter, arrived at the Soo Locks shortly before 5:30 p.m. on January 15 and successfully passed through around 8:30 p.m. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported that the passage took longer than usual due to heavy ice in the approach canal and lock chamber, requiring approximately three hours to complete. The ship’s next destination is Conneaut, Ohio.
Earlier that day, the Clyde S. VanEnkevort/Erie Trader was the second-to-last vessel to traverse the locks, carrying iron ore from Duluth, Minnesota, to Cleveland, Ohio. The Soo Locks typically close each January to allow for maintenance work, which is crucial for the safe operation of the facility. This year, the MacArthur Lock will not be dewatered during the winter maintenance period, and operations will cease when weather or ice conditions become unsafe.
Jeff Harrington, Operations Branch Chief, emphasized the dedication of the lock and dam operators during this time. “The team works alongside Soo Project Office maintenance crews to provide 100% effort in completing all critical maintenance during the ten-week shutdown,” he stated. Maintenance tasks include fabricating and replacing components for the locks, as well as conducting inspections and repairs.
Overview of the Soo Locks
The Soo Locks consist of two canals and four locks that facilitate the passage of vessels between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes. The locks enable ships to navigate a 21-foot elevation change in the St. Marys River. Ships traveling upbound enter from the lower end, where massive doors close, allowing water to fill the locks and raise the vessels to the lake level. Conversely, downbound ships enter from Lake Superior, and water is drained to lower them to the lower lake level.
Most vessels utilize the Poe Lock, which was rebuilt in 1968 to accommodate larger ships. The MacArthur Lock, named after General Douglas MacArthur, is also operational. Currently, construction is underway for a new lock adjacent to the Poe Lock, which is expected to enhance the facility’s capacity and efficiency. The project, which began in 2019, is projected to cost $3.22 billion and is seen as vital for the U.S. economy and national security.
The Soo Locks handle over 7,000 ship passages during the 42-week navigation season, underscoring their importance in the Great Lakes shipping industry. The locks will reopen for the spring shipping season on March 25, 2026, with the MacArthur Lock scheduled to follow in late April.
