US Great Lakes bulk shipping operator Interlake Steamship has placed an order at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for the construction of a new 28,000 dwt river-class, self-unloading bulk carrier.
Ohio-based Interlake Steamship runs the largest privately held US flag fleet on the Greak Lakes, owning nine bulk carriers ranging from 24,800 dwt to 68,000 dwt. The order is the company’s first newbuild order in 38 years. The company’s youngest vessel, panamax bulker Paul R Tregurtha, was built by American Ship Building in 1981.
The ship is expected to be completed by mid-2022 and will then be used for transporting raw materials to support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes region.
“When we approached a historic project of this magnitude – building our company’s first ship since 1981 – we knew it was critical to choose the right partners. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is the shipyard that has the experience and skill to execute on our long-term vision,” said Interlake president Mark Barker.
“Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is the shipyard that has the experience and skill to execute on our long-term vision. We’ve had a long and positive relationship of partnering with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding as we have modernized and reinvested heavily in our fleet. They have skillfully handled four repowers, five exhaust gas scrubber installations, as well as regular maintenance and regulatory drydockings on our vessels,” Barker added.
Good news from any perspective.