I’ve been meaning to post about this and kept being forgetful. From gCaptain:
The first new U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighter to be built in nearly 40 years was launched [October 28] at the Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
The Interlake Steamship Company vessel, M/V Mark W. Barker, is self-unloading bulk carrier that will transport raw materials such as salt, iron ore, and stone to support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes region.
The new River-class vessel is believed to be the first ship for U.S. Great Lakes service built on the Great Lakes since 1983. Delivery is planned for Spring 2022.
The first in 40 years? What’s triggered this? Just a worn out fleet? Or is shipping increasing on the Great Lakes?
