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American Steamship Company News

28 Mar 2024

Great Lakes Freighter Strikes Channel Light on St. Marys River

(Photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

A portion of the St. Marys River has been closed to vessel traffic after a U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighter struck a channel light in the waterway.At approximately 1 a.m., the 714-foot bulk carrier American Mariner suffered a marine casualty and struck the Munuscong Junction Light with its bow, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The incident occurred in Munuscong Lake, which is a section of the St. Marys River in Michigan state.The American Steamship Company-owned vessel is currently operated by Grand River Navigation under a bareboat charter.

15 Dec 2021

US Great Lakes Ports Report Cargo Spikes

(Photo: Samuel Hankinson / Chamber of Marine Commerce)

U.S. Great Lakes ports and the St. Lawrence Seaway are reporting a rush of activity as manufacturers stockpile raw materials and businesses take advantage of the congestion-free waterway to export overseas with just two weeks left of the season, the Chamber of Marine Commerce reports.“U.S. Great Lakes ports have roared back this year – recovering from major 2020 declines in traditional cargoes like iron ore and steel but also developing new business and seizing on opportunities for infrastructure investment. This story of recovery and renewal is mirrored in the latest St.

25 Feb 2021

Autonomy is a Journey: Wärtsilä Voyage Helps Define and Drive Maritime’s Automated Future

Image: Wärtsilä Voyage

As the maritime industry faces numerous environmental and efficiency challenges, the future is ship automation and Wärtsilä Voyage is a driver. Sean Fernback, President, and Thomas Pedersen, Director, Automation & Dynamic Positioning, Wärtsilä Voyage discuss the path and the pace with Maritime Reporter TV.Sean, to start, it seems many define “autonomy” differently. How do you define Wärtsilä's smart-autonomy approach?Sean Fernback, President, Wärtsilä VoyageAutonomy is a journey and there is no question that, at some point, various vessels in different classes will be fully autonomous.

14 May 2020

Rand Completes American Steamship Acquisition

New Jersey-based Rand Logistics said Thursday it has completed its $260 million acquisition of rival Great Lakes shipping company American Steamship Company (ASC) from GATX Corporation.The combination of Rand and ASC moves almost 50 million tons annually of dry bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal and limestone on vessels ranging in size from 634 feet to over 1,000 feet, the company said."This transaction is a game-changer for both Rand and our customers. Our combined 24-vessel fleet gives us the capability to meet almost every type of dry bulk transportation need on the Great Lakes," said Peter Coxon, Chief Executive Officer of Rand…

20 Apr 2020

Lack of Monitoring Contributed to 2019 Laker Fire -NTSB

By 8:20 p.m. St. Clair's cargo conveyor boom had become completely engulfed in flames (Photo: Great Lakes Trader chief engineer / NTSB)

A lack of operating procedures for continuous active monitoring contributed to the extent of damage caused by a 2019 fire on board a laid-up bulk carrier in Toldeo, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a report.At about 8:10 p.m. local time on February 16, 2019, a fire was reported on the 770-foot-long St. Clair while the vessel was undergoing winter at the CSX TORCO Iron Ore Terminal (TORCO dock) at the mouth of the Maumee River.The fire was likely caused by the ignition…

16 Mar 2020

Winter Work on the Great Lakes

(Photo: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding)

Along the 1,600-mile, ice gray arch of the St Lawrence Seaway, the 2020 Great Lakes commercial shipping season will lurch back to life on March 25 when the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. reopen.The ceremonial opening signals a passage with passable ice and the 114th Great Lakes season for its fleet of 45 venerable lakers. Most of these huge self-loading freight haulers are at least 50 years old, rust free, and fit; American steel sailing on a freshwater sea.To handle Great Lakes cargo…

12 Feb 2020

Rand Logistics to Buy American Steamship Company

New Jersey-based Rand Logistics announced it has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire rival Great Lakes shipping company American Steamship Company (ASC) from Chicago-based GATX Corporation for $260 million.Headquartered in upstate New York, ASC operates the Lakes' largest U.S.-flagged fleet, annually transporting more than 27 million tons of dry bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal and limestone on vessels ranging in size from 634 feet to over 1,000 feet. ASC reported segment profit of $46.1 million for 2019 (including a one-time gain of $10.5 million), said parent company GATX.Rand, an affiliate of American Industrial Partners (AIP)…

22 Dec 2017

Algoma Purchases Four U.S. Flag 'Lakers'

Algoma Central Corporation, a provider of marine transportation services, today announced it has reached an agreement with American Steamship Company to acquire four vessels. The Company has acquired the M.V. Buffalo, the M.V. Adam E. Cornelius, the S.S. American Valor and the S.S. American Victory. The availability of these vessels presented an opportunity to expand Algoma’s vessel fleet and capacity at extremely attractive values. Both the M.V. Buffalo and the M.V. Adam E. Cornelius will provide efficient capacity to serve customers in the river-class segment of Algoma’s Domestic Dry Bulk market. Both ships will complement the Company’s existing fleet to ship salt, aggregates, and other commodities.

15 Dec 2015

MERC Ships 500 Millionth Ton of Coal

Bulk carrier vessel Paul R. Tregurtha at Superior Midwest Energy Terminal on December 14, 2015. (Photo:  Chris Mazzella)

Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC) transshipped its 500 millionth ton of coal on Monday, December 14, 2015, with the loading of Interlake Steamship Company’s M/V Paul R. Tregurtha for the DTE Electric Company. MERC, which began operations in 1976, transshipped its 100 millionth ton of U.S. western low-sulfur coal in 1991, 200 millionth ton in 1998, 300 millionth ton in 2004 and 400 millionth in 2009. “The 500 millionth ton transshipped on December 14 represents another significant MERC milestone along with the loading and transshipment of our 10…

16 Sep 2014

Holland America Line's New Ship is ms Koningsdam

Holland America Line revealed the name of its new 99,500-ton cruise ship slated for delivery in February 2016 will be ms Koningsdam. While the name pays homage to the company’s rich heritage and deep roots in the Netherlands, it also reflects a new era with a bold name that is an original in Holland America Line’s 141-year history. Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard. Since 1883 every Holland America passenger vessel has borne the “dam” suffix, and ms Koningsdam carries on that tradition. The word koning means “king” in Dutch, and the name celebrates the majestic new ship. The name also pays honor to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in over a century. Holland America Line has a long, proud history with the Netherlands.

05 Sep 2014

Grounded Freighter Refloated in Straits of Mackinac

The American Spirit, a 1004-foot freighter that had been hard aground in the Straits of Mackinac since Thursday afternoon, was refloated early Friday morning. The vessel is making way to St. Ignace, Michigan, where it will anchor. Coast Guard marine inspectors and American Bureau Shipping surveyors will inspect the vessel prior to the vessel getting underway again. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, a search-and-rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie received a report from the crew aboard the motor vessel American Spirit, a 1004-foot U.S. flagged freighter, stating that they ran hard aground on muddy/sandy bottom at Round Island Passage, located between Mackinac Island and Round Island. The motor vessel was transiting to Gary, Indiana, with 64,800 tons of iron ore.

16 Jun 2014

Imtech Renews VSAT Connectivity Contract With Algoma

Photo courtesy of Imtech Marine

Canadian shipping company Algoma Central Corporation has renewed and upgraded its VSAT Connectivity contract with technology solutions provider Imtech Marine. The agreement now provides VSAT satellite coverage and airtime Connectivity to 34 vessels which are owned or managed by Algoma. 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.

15 Apr 2014

Great Lakes Shipyard Completes Winter Work

Photo courtesy Great Lakes Shipyard

The vessels were berthed in the yard for planned repairs and routine maintenance, as well as various inspections and miscellaneous renewals. Great Lakes Shipyard also completed industrial maintenance and winter repairs at the Cleveland Bulk Terminal at the port in Cleveland, Ohio. The work included rebuilding one of the field conveyor hoppers. Carmeuse Lime & Stone operates the Port’s Cleveland Bulk Terminal, handling iron ore and limestone that arrive by ship from other Great Lakes ports.

09 Jan 2014

Winter Grips But Great Lakes Group Keeps Busy

Image courtesy of Great Lakes Group

The Great Lakes Towing Company says it has been extremely busy providing icebreaking assistance, and Great Lakes Shipyard has started repairs and maintenance on Interlake Steamship vessels, with more vessels contracted to follow. Recently, the 140-foot USCG Bay-class Icebreaking Tug Katmai Bay (WTGB 101) was dead in the icy waters and required towing assistance to its homeport dock, and the towing company's tug Missouri was dispatched to break ice and assist it back to its dock. The Missouri is also homeported in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan to assist vessels through the U.S.

03 Jan 2014

Winter Work Kicks Off at Great Lakes Shipyard

Photo: Great Lakes Shipyard

The start of the winter layup season at Great Lakes Shipyard is marked by the arrival of Interlake Steamship Company’s articulated tug-barge Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder. The ATB will remain berthed in the yard for planned repairs and routine maintenance, as well as various inspections and miscellaneous renewals.   Other winter layup and repair work scheduled for this winter will include Inland Lakes Management’s S/S Alpena, American Steamship Company’s M/V Sam Laud, and McKeil Marine’s Tug Leonard M and Barge Huron Spirit.   thegreatlakesgroup.com

15 Oct 2013

Companies Partner to Protect the Great Lakes

Photo: GATX

American Steamship Company (ASC), a subsidiary of GATX Corporation, and Chicago’s John G. Shedd Aquarium are working collaboratively in pursuit of their common goal of protecting the Great Lakes, and now they’re taking that message to communities along the shores. One of ASC’s 1,000-foot vessels, the MV Indiana Harbor, is displaying each organization’s logo along with the slogan “Working Together to Keep the Lakes Great.” The vessel travels throughout the Great Lakes region including ports in western Lake Superior, southern Lake Michigan, Detroit and Cleveland.

25 Mar 2013

Great Lakes Shipyard Completes American Courage Winter Work

Photo: Great Lakes Shipyard

The American Courage of American Steamship Company departed Cleveland Saturday, March 23 after two months of lay-up at Great Lakes Shipyard. The Shipyard was contracted by American Steamship to perform winter work services on their vessel. Such work included miscellaneous steel work, generator maintenance, main drive unit maintenance, and other various repairs and maintenance. The American Courage is the last of three lakers to complete their winter work at Great Lakes Shipyard this season.

04 Mar 2013

Great Lakes Shipyard Completes ATB Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder

Photo: Great Lakes Shipyard

Interlake Steamship Company’s ATB Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder departed Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, Ohio, Sunday upon completion of the vessel’s winter work and layup period. Great Lakes Shipyard performed a variety of work on the vessel, such as miscellaneous steel work, generator maintenance, main drive unit maintenance and other various repairs. Great Lakes Shipyard is a full-service yard specializing in new construction, fabrication, repairs and winter work of all types of vessels and barges.

18 Jan 2013

ATB Dorthy Ann and Pathfinder at Great Lake Shipyard

Great Lakes Shipyard has been contracted by Interlake Steamship Company to perform winter work services on their ATB Dorthy Ann and Pathfinder which arrived in Cleveland and is docked on site at the Shipyard’s facility. The Shipyard will be performing a variety of work, such as:  miscellaneous steel work, generator maintenance, main drive unit maintenance, and other miscellaneous tug and barge repairs and maintenance. Great Lakes Shipyard is a full-service yard specializing in new construction, fabrication, repairs, and winter work of all types of vessels and barges.

18 Jan 2013

Great Lakes Shipyard Winter Season Contracts

Great Lakes Shipyard Facility: Photo credit Great Lakes Shipyard

Great Lakes Shipyard contracted by Interlake Steamship Company to perform winter work services on two vessels. Two more vessels have arrived: Interlake Steamship vessels, the ATB Dorothy Ann and the Pathfinder, are in Cleveland and  docked at Great Lakes Shipyard's facility. A variety of work is to be done, including: miscellaneous steel work, generator maintenance, main drive unit maintenance, and other miscellaneous tug and barge repairs and maintenance. Great Lakes Shipyard is a full-service yard specializing in new construction…

11 Mar 2013

Great Lakes Shipyard Winter Season Update

SS Alpena: Photo credit Great Lakes Shipyard

Inland Lakes Management’s laker 'SS Alpena' recently left the Cleveland Ohio shipyard upon completion of winter work projects. The shipyard performed a variety of work on the vessel during its layup period which consisted of basic repairs and other general maintenance items. The S/S Alpena is the second of three lakers to complete winter work at Great Lakes Shipyard this season. Interlake Steamship Company’s ATB Dorthy Ann and Pathfinder were first, departing last weekend, and work on the American Steamship Company’s American Courage is soon coming to completion.

06 Feb 2012

American Steamship Charters ATB

American Steamship Compnay charter New Articulated Tug Barge American Steamship Company (“ASC”), a subsidiary of GATX Corporation (NYSE:GMT), announced its charter of a newly constructed Articulated Tug Barge (“ATB”). David W. Foster, president of ASC, said, “We are very pleased to add this new ATB, designed to transport dry-bulk commodities, to our fleet and look forward to commencing its operation on the Great Lakes during the upcoming sailing season. This U.S.-flagged 10,700 horsepower tug and 740 foot self-unloading barge with a cargo capacity of 34,000 tons, constructed by Donjon Shipbuilding and Repair, LLC of Erie, PA, will allow ASC to more efficiently serve our customers.”

23 Mar 2012

Tug Fleet Overhaul Commences

The Great Lakes Towing Company has commenced a major overhaul program for its Great Lakes fleet of 37 harbor assist tugboats. The ILLINOIS is the first of the Company’s tugs to undergo this overhaul at the Company’s new Cleveland shipyard. The new 770-ton Travelift; the largest on the Great Lakes, second largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest in the World; permits the yard to “dry dock” on land several vessels at a time. The Great Lakes Towing Company operates the largest fleet of tugs on the Great Lakes serving 40 ports and has been in continuous business for 113 years.