Algoma christens environmentally advanced vessel in the Great Lakes
Algoma Central Corporation ("Algoma") announced the arrival in Canada and the christening of its second Equinox Class bulk cargo vessel, the Algoma Harvester. The christening took place at Pier 26 South in Hamilton Harbour earlier today and was observed by an audience that included local dignitaries and members of the marine industry, Agoma said in a press release.
Mrs. Kathy Baske, wife of Jim Baske, the President and CEO of ArcelorMittal Dofasco imparted the traditional blessing. As is customary for these ceremonies, a bottle of champagne was broken against the bow of the ship, a banner revealing the ship's name was unveiled, and Father David Mulholland of the Mission to Seafarers offered prayers and other words of inspiration to the Canadian crew of the ship.
The Equinox Class represents the next generation of Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway bulk cargo vessels. The ships have been designed to optimize fuel efficiency and operating performance thus minimizing environmental impact. A 45% improvement in energy efficiency over Algoma's current fleet average is expected, resulting from the use of a modern Tier II compliant engine, increased cargo capacity, and an improved hull form. In addition, a fully integrated IMO approved exhaust gas scrubber will remove 97% of all sulphur oxides from shipboard emissions. Algoma is the first company to use an IMO approved integrated scrubber on a Great Lakes - St. Lawrence vessel class.
Algoma took delivery of the Algoma Harvester on May 13th and the vessel departed from the shipyard in China on May 18th. The Algoma Harvester picked up its first load of cargo at Port Cartier, Quebec on July 11th, following a 54 day voyage across the Pacific and through the Panama Canal to get to Canada. The first cargo of iron ore, which has set a new record size, will be delivered to ArcelorMittal Dofasco in Hamilton immediately following the ceremony.
The Algoma Harvester joins its sister ship, the Algoma Equinox, as part of Algoma's 32-vessel Canadian flagged Great Lakes fleet. Algoma is investing $300 million to construct six state of the art Equinox class vessels with two additional Equinox Class vessels currently under construction for CWB Inc. These CWB Inc. vessels will be managed by Algoma as part of the fleet serving our customers in and around the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Waterway.
The Algoma Harvester will serve primarily agricultural and iron and steel industry customers, making regular voyages from lakehead ports on Lake Superior such as Thunder Bay and Superior/Duluth to Port Cartier, Quebec City, and Baie Comeau in the St. Lawrence. In between, this maximum seaway-size bulker also visits other ports such as Contrecoeur, Hamilton, Toledo, Chicago, and Milwaukee during the course of a navigation season.
The Algoma Harvester is expected to depart from Hamilton for Thunder Bay on July 18th. The vessel is expected to make approximately 10 grain and iron ore trips on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway over the balance of 2014.
About Algoma Central Corporation
Algoma Central Corporation owns and operates the largest Canadian flag fleet of dry and liquid bulk carriers operating on the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Waterway, including 18 self-unloading dry-bulk carriers, seven gearless dry bulk carriers and seven product tankers. Algoma also has interests in ocean dry-bulk and product tanker vessels operating in international markets. Algoma provides ship management services for other ship owners and owns a diversified ship repair and steel fabricating facility active in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions of Canada. In addition, Algoma owns and manages commercial real estate properties in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines and Waterloo, Ontario.