Fednav Ltd. adds Federal Michigan to its Laker-Class fleet of ships
Fednav Ltd. of Montreal has added another new vessel, Federal Michigan, IMO 9975416, to its growing fleet of Laker-class ships built by the Oshima Shipbuilding Co. in Oshima, Japan.
Federal Michigan is the sixth vessel of the Laker-class series of ships. First in the series was the Federal Hamilton (IMO 9975363), built in 2023. She has already made two inland voyages so far in 2024. Another new vessel in the Laker-class series, Federal Thunder Bay, (IMO 9975375), which is due at Sorel, QC, on July 29. In addition, the Federal Indiana (IMO 9975387), made its maiden voyage entering the Great Lakes/Seaway on June 23. Federal Ohio (IMO 9975399) and Federal Wisconsin (IMO 9975404) are also part of the new series.
Each of the new vessels are 199.98 meters in length and 23.76 meters in width (or 656 x 78 feet). They are equipped with four deck cranes for loading and unloading. The new vessels are all registered in the Marshall Islands, with Majuro as their port of registry. Each are easily recognizable thanks to their very large smokestacks, which house air pollution abatement equipment.
Badger resumes sailing after a day off for repairs
LUDINGTON, MI – Lake Michigan Carferry’s history Badger resumed sailing Tuesday morning after electrical repairs were completed. Her Monday sailings were canceled.
The Badger spent two full days at the dock for repairs. The ship has missed eight crossings between Saturday and Monday. “The Badger’s engineers are working around the clock to complete the repair,” said Lake Michigan Carferry spokesman Thom Hawley. “We expect to return to a full sailing schedule by Tuesday morning.”
On Sunday night, the ship’s operators reported that engineers and electricians were working through the night to seek resolution to the electrical issue aboard the ship.
Limestone Trade Up In June
CLEVELAND — Shipments of limestone on the Great Lakes totaled 3.3 million tons in June, an increase of 6 percent from a year ago. This June’s loadings were below the month’s 5-year average by 7.7 percent.
Loadings out of U.S. quarries totaled 2.6 million tons, an increase of 2.4 percent compared to last year. Shipments from Canadian quarries totaled 738,606 tons, an increase of 20.9 percent.
Year-to-date the Lakes limestone trade stands at nearly 9.8 million tons, an increase of 21.2 percent compared to 2023. Loadings from Michigan and Ohio quarries increased by 21.5 percent from a year ago. Shipments from Ontario quarries total 1.9 million tons, an increase of 20.3 percent.
GREAT LAKES LIMESTONE TRADE: JUNE 2019-2024 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Average 2019-2023 |
|
| U.S. Ports | 3,400,440 | 2,475,950 | 2,664,895 | 2,970,109 | 2,518,972 | 2,578,265 | 2,806,073 |
| Canadian Ports | 666,475 | 728,330 | 1,108,564 | 829,618 | 610,702 | 738,606 | 788,738 |
| Total | 4,066,915 | 3,204,280 | 3,773,459 | 3,799,727 | 3,129,674 | 3,316,871 | 3,594,811 |
YEAR-TO-DATE 2019-2024 AND LONG-TERM AVERAGE
(NET TONS)
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Average
2019-2023 |
|
| U.S. Ports | 8,907,068 | 7,216,898 | 7,529,827 | 7,659,351 | 6,448,821 | 7,833,297 | 7,552,393 |
| Canadian Ports | 1,846,696 | 1,775,989 | 2,430,267 | 2,054,833 | 1,619,072 | 1,947,073 | 1,945,371 |
| Total | 10,753,764 | 8,992,887 | 9,960,094 | 9,714,184 | 8,067,893 | 9,780,370 | 9,497,764 |
U.S. ports: Calcite, MI; Cedarville, MI; Drummond Island, MI; Marblehead, OH; Port Inland, MI; and Presque Isle, MI. Canadian ports: Bruce Mines, Manitoulin Island, Port Colborne (from August 2017 on) and Smelter Bay (all Ontario).
About Lake Carriers’ Association
Since 1880, Lake Carriers’ has represented the U.S.-flag Great Lakes fleet, which today can move more than 90 million tons of cargos annually that are the foundation of American industry, infrastructure, and power: iron ore, stone, coal, cement, and other dry bulk materials such as grain, salt, and sand. More information is available at www.lcaships.com.
Information based on data from knowledgeable sources. However, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. LCA assumes no legal responsibility for the outcome of decisions or commitments made on the basis of this information. This report represents the views of LCA and may not necessarily represent the views of its individual members.
Eric Peace
Vice President
Lake Carriers’ Association
25651 Detroit Road, Suite 102
Westlake, Ohio 44145
(440) 333-9996 (office) | (410) 703-8792 (mobile)
