Algoma Olympic

ULGI reinvested over $2 million in the Canadian Olympic during the winter lay-up of 1999/2000 when its unloading tunnel and loop were completely overhauled and renewed. Included were the replacement of all 93 hydraulically operated unloading gates and the gate hoppers. Also, the hold belt and roller frames were removed with all steelwork being sandblasted and epoxy coated; the tunnel tanktop was completely reclad with 3/8″ steel; new roller frames were installed with a third of the rollers being replaced; and the loop belt housing was sandblasted and epoxy coated.

The Canadian Olympic sailed under the management of the newly created Seaway Marine Transport of St. Catherines, ON. Seaway Marine Transport was formed by the merging of the former Seaway Self-Unloaders and Seaway Bulk Carriers and remains a partnership of Algoma Central and Upper Lakes Group. Coal is one of the Canadian Olympic’s main cargoes delivering to various power generating stations along the Great Lakes. Other commodities such as taconite pellets, grain products, or salt could be carried.

On February 25, 2011, a formal statement was issued announcing the sale of the privately owned Upper Lakes Shipping fleet and their associated interest in Seaway Marine Transport to Algoma Central Corporation. Former Upper Lakes Chairman of the Board, company spokesman and owner John D. (“Jack”) Leitch stated “It is with some regret and sadness that I tell you that we have decided to sell the vessels of Upper Lakes Shipping and our interest in Seaway Marine Transport to Algoma Central Corporation. A definitive agreement has been signed and the deal is anticipated to close in about a month. By the end of this season the proud logo on the funnels of Upper Lakes vessels will no longer be seen on the Great Lakes or along the St. Lawrence River.” Jack further states “For 80 years we have been a part of the Canadian landscape and of the fabric of the Canadian economy.” The Upper Lakes Shipping fleet will takes its place in modern Canadian Great Lakes history as having been a prominent player in the economic development of the regions served by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway system. On April 15, 2011, Algoma announced that the Canadian Olympic will be renamed Algoma Olympic.