Mark W. Barker

Great Lakes self-unloading bulk carrier built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay WI. Keel laid June 23, 2020. Floated out January 4, 2021 Launched October 28, 2021 for Interlake Steamship Co., Middleburg Heights, OH.  She is believed to be the first self-powered ship for U.S. Great Lakes service built on the Great Lakes since 1983.

Built with five cargo holds with a total carrying capacity of 37,000 long tons (37,594 mt) tons at mid-summer draft and a cargo hold volume of 1,395,000 ft3 (39,500 m3).  Her self-unloading equipment consists of a two belt gravity-fed system with a loop belt elevator feeding a 250-foot forward-mounted boom that can be swung 90 degrees to port or starboard discharging at up to 5,315 long tons or (5,400 mt) tons per hour. Her unloading boom was recycled from AMERICAN VICTORY (ex-MIDDLETOWN).

M/V Mark W. Barker departed the Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin shipyard July 27 for Port Inland, Michigan where her crew of 21 loaded stone to deliver to Muskegon, Michigan.

“This new vessel not only brings with it additional cargo carrying capacity and capabilities, it is the most versatile in our fleet and strategically sized to navigate into nearly any port on the Great Lakes,” said Brendan P. O’Connor, Vice President of Marketing and Marine Traffic. “The M/V Mark W. Barker will give us unmatched ability for cargo operations and to carry unique project cargoes because of both her square-shaped cargo hold and larger hatch openings. She truly was designed to be a vessel for the future.”

“We couldn’t be prouder to add this skillfully constructed vessel to our growing Interlake fleet,” added new namesake Mark Barker, who was at the shipyard to personally wish the best to the ship’s crew fitting out the new vessel. “It has been genuinely inspiring to see the dedication and workmanship from all of those involved in this multi-year project, from the design, construction, final outfitting and successful sea trials. We are thrilled to add our newest US-crewed, US-built and US-owned vessel to the Great Lakes fleet.

Powered by two Caterpillar; EMS- Tech, Inc.;  Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD 16-cylinder diesel engines EPA Tier 4 and IMO Tier III certified, driving a single controllable pitch propeller. Total power: 7,800 shp. Rated service speed: 15.0 knots (16.1 mph). Equipped with a flap rudder as well as bow and stern thrusters.