CALCITE

• Latitude: 45.412
•
• Longitude: -83.774
•
• Great Lakes
•
• Port in US

Address: Rogers City MI 49779 US

Phone number: +1-989-734-2131

Web-site: http://rogerscity.com/port-of-calcite

Port Name: Calcite Harbor

Location: The Calcite Harbor, often referred to simply as Calcite, is situated on the northeastern shore of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, in the town of Rogers City, Presque Isle County. It is part of the Great Lakes system and opens into Lake Huron.

Overview: Calcite is primarily an industrial port, specifically known for its large limestone and dolomite quarry operations. This port is predominantly associated with the Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company (currently part of Carmeuse Lime and Stone), one of the largest limestone quarries in the world.

Main Features:

1. Quarry Operations:

   • Material: The port mainly handles limestone and related products.
   • Quarry Size: One of the world’s largest, producing millions of tons of limestone annually.

2. Docks and Berths:

   • Number of Docks/Berths: There are typically several berths to accommodate large bulk carriers.
   • Dock Lengths: The main docks are designed to handle vessels up to 1,000 feet in length, the typical size for Great Lakes freighters.

3. Draft:

   • Depth: The port can accommodate ships with depths typically around 25 to 30 feet of draft, sufficient for large bulk carriers that transport raw materials across the Great Lakes.

4. Cargo Handling:

   • Primary Cargo: Bulk cargoes like crushed stone, aggregate, and other quarry-related products.
   • Equipment: The port facilities include conveyor systems, heavy-duty cranes, and other specialized equipment dedicated to efficient loading and unloading of bulk materials.

5. Storage:

   • Facilities: The port includes extensive storage areas for raw limestone, various aggregates, and other materials directly connected to the quarrying operation.

6. Transportation Links:

   • Road: Good road access connects the port to regional industrial centers. Trucking services are regularly used for local and regional distribution.
   • Rail: There is also rail connectivity, facilitating broader distribution of materials throughout Michigan and neighboring states.

7. Environmental Considerations:

   • Water Quality Monitoring: Given its industrial nature, there are protocols in place to monitor and mitigate environmental impacts, especially concerning water quality in Lake Huron.
   • Dust and Noise Control: Measures are also enforced to control dust and noise pollution arising from mining and shipping activities.

8. Operational Times:

   • Seasonality: Due to its location in the Great Lakes region, Calcite Harbor typically operates seasonally, from April to December, when the shipping lanes are free of ice.

9. Significance:

   • Economic Impact: The port significantly contributes to the local economy through direct employment in the quarry and port operations, as well as indirectly through associated industries and services.

10. Additional Services:

    • Maintenance Facilities: Basic support services for maintenance of shipping vessels are available.
    • Navigation Aids: The port is well-marked with navigational aids for safe entry and departure of vessels.

Port Management: While the limestone operations are managed by Carmeuse Lime and Stone, the port itself may have a combination of private and local government oversight to ensure it meets operational, safety, and environmental standards.

Notable Information: Calcite, being more of an industrial port, does not serve large passenger vessels or engage in significant container shipping but is vital for the bulk materials trade within the Great Lakes region.