MARAD to Study Low Carbon Fuels on the Great Lakes
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced the launch of a study exploring low carbon options for shipping on the Great LakesThe research group will be led by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), in partnership with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP).Over a period of 16 months, researchers will assess alternative fuels and power options in the region and will develop a detailed profile of Great Lakes fleets, ports and fueling infrastructure.
CSL’s New Laker Equipped with Berg Electric Drives
Emissions reductions have been confirmed for the first laker to feature a diesel-electric drive train, after the initial weeks in service of Canada Steamship Lines’ new self-unloader Nukumi. The vessel arrived in Halifax in time to take up duties for the 2022 Great Lakes season complete with patented Direct Drive Electric technology from Berg Propulsion.Built by China’s Chengxi Shipyard, the delivery also marks a bulk carrier market debut for Direct Drive Electric - an integrated solution developed by Berg to make high efficiency electric propulsion easier to adopt.The 26…
Canadian Icebreaker's Thordon Bearings Stand the Test of Time
A Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) icebreaker is helping to keep shipping moving on the Great Lakes throughout the winter with a set of Thordon Bearings’ propeller shaft bearings that were fitted more than 30 years ago.Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Griffon, the oldest vessel of the CCG’s Type 1100 series, was retrofitted with a set of four Thordon XL polymer stave bearings in 1990, 20 years into her service life. Sister ships received Thordon bearings from new throughout the 1980s.
CSL Completes B100 Biofuel Tests
In late November 2021, CSL successfully completed the world’s longest-running trials of B100 biodiesel on marine engines, accumulating nearly 30,000 running hours. Conducted on half of CSL’s Canadian fleet, the tests resulted in a 23% total fleet life cycle reduction of CO2 as compared to marine gas oil (MGO).During the trials, conducted in partnership with Canada Clean Fuels and with the collaboration of Sterling Fuels, 14,000 tonnes of MGO, a fossil fuel, was substituted for 100% bio-content second-generation biofuel…
Maintenance Error Led to $2.2 Million Bulker Accident -NTSB
The incorrect installation of a single set screw led to the loss of propulsion control on the Canadian-flagged, 736-foot-long Atlantic Huron, causing the ship to strike a pier at 6.8 knots, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday.On July 5, 2020, the self-unloading bulk carrier made contact with a pier associated with the Soo Locks, in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., resulting in $2.2 million in damage. There were no injuries.While on approach to the locks and attempting to slow…
Canada Steamship Lines to Test Biodiesel
Montreal-based shipping company Canada Steamship Lines (CSL) said it will test second generation biodiesel on half of its fleet over the course of the 2021 navigation season—a first for the Great Lakes shipping industry.These tests, which follow the trials of B100 biodiesel fuel on the main engines of two CSL ships last year, come as CSL explores the use of green fuels and technologies to reduce its vessel emissions and overall environmental footprint.Elsewhere, several shipping companies seeking to curb their emissions have been trialing cleaner-burning biofuels…
New Ferry Being Built for Christian Island, Ontario
An infrastructure upgrade project is underway on Christian Island, Ontario, and one of the main components of the project is the construction of a new double-ended ferry (DEF) – a so-called “Floating Bridge” from the mainland to the island. Christian Island is located in Canada in Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay. Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) will be the owner and operator of the new ferry.The DEF will be constructed at Fraser Shipyards Inc. in Superior, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior…
Scania USA Expands Territory for Mack Boring
Scania USA Announces Expansion of Marine Territory for Distributor, Mack Boring & Parts Company. Effective August 1, Mack Boring & Parts Co. will assume additional marine territory in the Great Lakes Region of the United States to include Northern Illinois and Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Northern Ohio and Wisconsin.Mack Boring & Parts Co. currently represents Scania’s latest marine platform: 13- and 16-liter engines used for various propulsion and auxiliary applications including fishing vessels, passenger vessels, and pleasure craft.
Oil-to-water Conversions Success for Great Lakes Bulkers
The oil-to-water lubricated tailshaft conversion Thordon Bearings carried out last year to the 26,260dwt Great Lakes Fleet-managed bulk carrier SS John G. Munson has successfully completed its first season as a diesel-powered ship.The shaft conversion of the 1952-built self-unloader formed a key part of the mammoth 12-month power conversion project completed last year by Fincantieri’s Bay Shipbuilding yard, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.The vessel’s steam propulsion plant was replaced with an energy efficient medium-speed diesel arrangement.
Wärtsilä Inks Distributor Deal with Heinzman
Wärtsilä Canada Inc. has signed an agreement with Heinzmann GmbH & Co. KG to become Heinzmann’s Authorized Central Distributor in Canada. Aligned with Wärtsilä’s QuantiServ business, the agreement provides Heinzmann’s Canadian customers in the marine and energy industry an opportunity to repair, replace and upgrade their existing control and monitoring systems through Wärtsilä Canada. This is supported by the factory-qualified engineering, field service and workshop staff of Wärtsilä Canada.
Canadian Coast Guard Fleet Modernization Underway
ABB said it will modernize 10 out of 14 Medium Icebreakers and High Endurance Multi Task Canadian Coast Guard ships to extend operational life of the vessels by another 20 years. “For more than 75 years ABB has been working at the cutting edge of icebreaker technology and we are delighted to bring this expertise to these Canadian Coast Guard ships,” said Jyri Jusslin, Senior Vice President of ABB Global Marine & Ports Service. Design and work supply on first of the 10 vessels, CCGS Pierre Radisson, is already underway and will be completed in July 2017.
Nearly Half of Interlake Fleet Fit with Scrubbers
The M/V Mesabi Miner has sailed from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wis., becoming Interlake Steamship Company’s fourth self-unloading bulk carrier to be outfitted with exhaust gas scrubbers. Interlake became the first U.S.-flag fleet to test freshwater scrubbers on the Great Lakes in April 2015 after pioneering the emission-reduction technology on its M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar. In 2016, the company outfitted its first thousand foot vessel, the M/V James R. Barker, and its 826-foot M/V Lee A. Tregurtha in its second phase of exhaust gas scrubber implementation.
Interlake Steamship Bulk Carrier Repowered
The newly repowered M/V Herbert C. Jackson departed Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis., yesterday giving a farewell salute to the Twin Ports where it has been undergoing its steam-to-diesel conversion since December 21. As the last steam-powered ship in Interlake Steamship Company’s fleet, the conversion of the Herbert C. Jackson represents the final phase of the company’s decade-long modernization program to create the most efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible fleet on the Great Lakes.
PureSOx Installed on Canadian Cement Carrier
As well as being the established choice of scrubber for Emission Control Areas (ECAs), Alfa Laval PureSOx is proving its capabilities on the Great Lakes. The system will soon be installed on a cement carrier that will operate in the region as part of the NovaAlgoma fleet. NovaAlgoma Cement Carriers Limited has recently expanded its fleet with the M/v Nacc Quebec. This ecologically efficient self-discharging bulker will be converted from an existing vessel in China and will begin her operation in 2017.
Interlake Steamship Continues Scrubber Upgrades
The M/V James R. Barker sailed Sunday from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Company in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc., becoming Interlake Steamship Company’s first 1,000-footer and its second self-unloading bulk carrier to be outfitted with exhaust gas scrubbers. Interlake became the first U.S.-flag fleet to test scrubbers on the Great Lakes in April 2015 after pioneering the emission-reduction technology on its M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar. “Implementing this innovative scrubber system on our 1…
Northern Lights Hires Great Lakes/Inland Waterways Manager
Marine power generation and climate control products manufacturer Northern Lights, Inc. (NLI) has appointed 35-year industry veteran Kevin Kyle as Area Manager for the Great Lakes and Inland Waterways Region. Kyle will serve the needs of boat builders, architects, captains and end users of Northern Lights and Technicold products in the region. The market area includes commercial, military and government vessels, private yachts and trawlers, in both the United States and Canada. Kyle brings a variety of marine industry experience to the NLI team.
Final Interlake Steamship Vessel in for Repower
The S.S. Herbert C. Jackson made its final journey as a steamship this month when it sailed into Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wis., where it will undergo a six-month conversion to a highly automated diesel propulsion system. As the last steam-powered ship in Interlake Steamship Company’s fleet, the Jackson is the fifth ship to undergo a major overhaul and its fourth steam-to-diesel conversion since 2006. This conversion represents the final phase of the company’s 10-year, $100 million modernization effort.
Vulica Orders Clean-tech Solutions for Bulker Newbuilds
WE Tech Solutions Oy and China’s Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry signed a contract for the delivery of two Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Shaft Generator solutions to a series of 6,8000 DWT bulk carriers, recently ordered by Texas-based Vulica Shipping. Based in Vaasa, Finland, WE Tech will deliver its Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Shaft Generator solution to a series of two panamax sized self-unloading bulk carriers, ordered by Vulica Shipping in the U.S. The vessels will be built by Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry in China.