Great Lakes Ship Guide

Welcome!

The Great Lakes are vast bodies of water connected by a system of rivers, canals and locks, that ultimately lead to the Atlantic Ocean. These waters are heavily traveled by a diverse array of commercial marine traffic from around the world, carrying cargo and raw materials that are vital to many industries. Shipments include iron ore, coal, limestone, grain, fertilizers, steel, salt, construction materials, chemicals, petroleum products, and many other goods.

Great Lakes Ship Guide aims to showcase these incredible vessels and promote an interest in Great Lakes ships and ship watching. Browse by ship name or by company fleet and learn about the basic specs for each ship. Hear their whistles (horns) and see them in action on the water. Explore some of the best ship watching locations around the Great Lakes!

New ships, videos, images and ship watching locations are being added on a regular basis!

A Multimedia Resource for Great Lakes Ship Fans

Ship of the Week

Frontenac

Classic Great Lakes freighter, Frontenac (Canada Steamship Lines), passing through the shadows of the Blue Water Bridge that connects Port Huron, Michigan to Point Edward, Ontario, Canada. April 11, 2025.

Featured Reels

Whitefish Bay (Canada Steamship Lines) follows a sailboat under the Blue Water Bridge. With a salute at the end from the Huron Lightship. Port Huron, Michigan, October 11, 2025.

A salute from the beautiful 623’ saltie ship Koznitza (Navibulgar), as she heads up the St. Clair River. October 02, 2025.

Freighter Algoma Intrepid passes under the Blue Water Bridge on a choppy day on the St. Clair River. July 13, 2025.

705’ Articulated tug barge Defiance - Ashtabula on the St. Clair River, passing St. Clair, Michigan. September 06, 2025.

Featured Videos

CSL Lake Freighters Pass Each Other and Exchange a Horn Salute!

United States Coast Guard Ship USCGC Morro Bay on Great Lakes icebreaking operations, escorting the tanker Algoluna (Algoma Central Corporation) and the self-unloading bulk carrier Algoma Bear (Algoma Central Corporation) up the icy St. Clair River, inMarine City, Michigan. February 01, 2025.

Two Great Lakes freighters, 740' CSL Welland and 740' CSL Niagara, both vessels of Canada Steamship Lines, meet on the St. Clair River and exchange a horn salute. June 08, 2025.

Coast Guard Icebreaker Escorts a Winter Ship Convoy!

5 Ships Meet in Marine City | HEAVY Great Lakes Freighter Traffic!

HEAVY Icebreaker Mackinaw Leads a Tanker Convoy Through an Ice Jam!

5 Ships passing on the St. Clair River at the same time! 3 Great Lakes freighters, 1 integrated tug-barge and a Canadian Coast Guard ship. As the video starts, Frontenac is approaching, and the 1,000' American Century can be seen in the background making a 180 degree turn in the St. Clair River. American Century then gives a horn salute when passing the camera position. April 11, 2025.

Downbound Ships

729'7" Frontenac (Canada Steamship Lines)

1,000' American Century (American Steamship Company)

Upbound Ships

739'10" CSL St-Laurent (Canada Steamship Lines)

544' Samuel de Champlain/Innovation (Holcim U.S.)

228'9" CGCS Samuel Risley (Canadian Coast Guard)

United States Coast Guard Ship USCGC Mackinaw on Great Lakes icebreaking operations, escorting the tankers Algoluna (Algoma Central Corporation) and Algocanada (Algoma Central Corporation) down the ice jammed St. Clair River, in Marine City, Michigan. February 09, 2025.