New Algoma Endeavour leaves
shipyard for Canada
The new Algoma Endeavour has left the 3.maj shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia, enroute to Canada. She’ll make a stop in Garrucha, Spain, for cargo (to cross the Atlantic it must take on a load, it cannot sail empty on the open sea for stability).
The Algoma Endeavour is the longest ship launched at the Rijeka shipyard, at 225 metres long and 24 metres wide and has a carrying capacity of 29,300 tonnes and it will sail on the Great Lakes. After the disintegration of the Uljanik Group, this is the second vessel built by the Rijeka shipyard for the Canadian client (the first one was the Algoma Intrepid).
Janey Anderson – Ship Junkies
Shepler’s, MIFC ferry companies
sue City of Mackinac Island
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — After several years of changes, a rift has formed between the Mackinac Island City Council and the island’s top ferry services.
Shepler’s Inc. and Mackinac Island Ferry Company filed a joint lawsuit against the City of Mackinac Island on Monday in federal court, accusing the city council of overstepping its bounds by trying to control ferry schedules and fares and meddling in their other businesses.
Part of the issue stems from big changes in the local industry. The Hoffmann family joined Shepler’s as partners in 2022, then purchased MIFC in 2024.
According to the lawsuit, the Hoffmann family knew that the MIFC fleet was outdated and needed repairs, but it apparently underestimated the amount of work necessary to stay afloat.
“Shortly after its purchase, the Hoffmann Family discovered that MIFC ferry fleet required significant repairs, many of which raised critical safety concerns,” Shepler’s representatives said in the lawsuit. “During the first several months of ownership, the Hoffmann Family invested approximately $6 million in MIFC, the majority of which went to repair and modernize the fleet.”
While the repairs were done, the lawsuit claims the Hoffmann’s worked closely with the city, expanding Shepler’s services to make sure the island’s ferry needs were met.
As part of the franchise agreement between the city and the companies, both ferry services must submit their proposed fares for the upcoming season. Citing the tumultuous 2024 season and other economic factors, the two companies proposed a “slight increase” for ticket rates in 2025.
The City Council rejected the proposed rates, claiming the Hoffmann’s are trying to “monopolize” the market and raise prices. Lawyers representing Shepler’s Ferry reject that claim.
“In addition to the substantial capital investments that need to be recouped over time, both Shepler’s and MIFC were experiencing a significant increase in expenses, including a $500,000 increase in fuel prices, an increase in local taxes of $50,000, a $1,900,000 increase in payroll and approximately $420,000 in lost ticket value that Shepler’s and MIFC, in conjunction with the City, gives away for purposes of promotion,” the lawsuit reads.
The city council also mandated that the two companies must also submit a proposal for their parking fees, which customers pay when they leave vehicles on the ferry company’s property in St. Ignace or Mackinaw City.
The lawsuit claims that the companies submitted parking proposals “in the interest of continued cooperation” while claiming that the city council has no say over their parking rates under the current franchise agreements.
The city council formally rejected the parking rates last month.
