GREAT LAKES, SEAWAY SHIPOWNERS: 'BULK UP' THEIR FLEETS

摘要

The long-in-the-tooth Great Lakes fleet is getting a much-needed rejuvenation, with Canadian-flag shipowners pumping about $1 billion on new and improved ships. Algoma Central Corporation, the largest Canadian-flag owner on the Great Lakes, and its partner, the CWB Inc. (formerly the Canadian Wheat Board), are investing close to $400 million in eight new Equinox Class dry bulk carriers, the first two of which have been delivered. The Equinox Class bulkers are built to carry cargo, faster and more environmentally efficient than current generation ships. The 38,000 dwt ships are under construction at Nantong Mingde Heavy Industry in China. Designed by Finland's Deltamarin Ltd., the dry bulk carriers have an overall length of 225.55m and beam of 23.77m, with a design draft speed of 14 knots. The new lakers can carry everything from grain, iron ore, and coal to construction materials and salt. This past May, the second Equinox Class ship, the Algoma Harvester, joined its sister ship, the Algoma Equinox, as part of Algoma's 32-vessel, Canadian-flagged Great Lakes fleet.