Lakers set to go green

摘要

With many vessels over 50-years-old still in service, the Great Lakes fleet is one of the oldest afloat. For years, Canadian owners Canada Steamship Lines (CSL), Fednav and Al-goma Central Corporation delayed ordering new vessels due to an argument over a tariff on foreign-built ships. The 25% tariff was lifted in 2010 and, together with a strong Canadian dollar, provided the impetus for large scale fleet replacement programmes. Great Lakes operators are now in the middle of a C$1B vessel replacement programme. Fednav has ordered 27 ships since 2012, of which 14 are Lakers. They include six 35,000t bulk carriers and six 34,000t vessels built to St Lawrence Seaway dimensions for delivery over 2015 and 2016.