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Mark Barker News

28 Nov 2022

Marine News' Top Vessels of 2022

Mark W. Barker (Photo: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding)

The November edition of Marine News magazine highlighted the most notable newbuilds delivered in 2022. From sturdy and nimble workboats, to the first new Jones Act laker in a generation, each vessel on display showcases the industry’s engineering prowess and technological ingenuity, with the focus on improving efficiency in operations. The maritime industry has no shortage of challenges to overcome, and each of Marine News’ top vessels will, in one way or another, aid efforts to tackle them.Mark W.

25 Oct 2019

Great Lakes Seaway Shipping Highlights Economic Impact

Stakeholders met with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) officials, Deputy Commissioner Susan Mulvihill, Deputy Commissioner Scott Peterson, and Bill Gardner, Director of Freight, Railroads & Waterways Department of Transportation.

The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership hosted Capitol Day in St. Paul, Minnesota yesterday to meet with Governor Tim Walz and other key legislators to share insights on the critical role of the Great Lakes Seaway system in maintaining a vibrant regional, national and global economy.“Commercial navigation on the Great Lakes Seaway system is an economic driver — both broadly in the United States and Canada — but, especially, in Minnesota. More cargo moves in-and-out through Minnesota ports than any other Great Lakes state and supports over 6…

13 Jun 2018

Green Marine Elects New Chairman of the Board

William D. Friedman (Photo: Port of Cleveland)

President and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, William D. Friedman, was elected chairman of the Green Marine’s Board of Directors following the corporation’s Annual General Meeting on May 31, during GreenTech 2018, in Vancouver B.C. Friedman has been sitting on the Green Marine Board since 2013.The Port of Cleveland is one of the environmental program’s founding members. “I’ve been engaged on the Green Marine board for the last five years, and the Port of Cleveland has adopted a similar commitment as a member.

21 Mar 2017

Clean Shipping on the Great Lakes

Photo: The Interlake Steamship Company

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently spoke with Mark Barker, president of The Interlake Steamship Company, who has sent its fourth vessel — its second 1,000-footer — to be outfitted with exhaust gas scrubbers. After seriously pursuing the possibility of converting its ships to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) several years ago, U.S. based Great Lakes shipper The Interlake Steamship Company found that the region’s LNG infrastructure was simply not present to support such conversions.

13 Mar 2017

The March 2017 Edition of Maritime Reporter is Now Available

Maritime Reporter & Engineering News (March 2017)

The March 2017 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineering News, with U.S. President Donald Trump on the cover, is now available. Read it online here. As this is Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ ‘Green Marine’ annual, one might be surprised to see a recent photo of President Trump gracing our cover. Regardless of your personal feeling or political view, the story of President Trump and his new administration is arguably the maritime story of the year, as it touches on nearly every sector, from defense and national security to international commerce and infrastructure.

26 Mar 2016

Soo Locks Open for 2016

At 12:01 a.m. today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially opened the Soo Locks for the start of the 2016 shipping season. The locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan are among 16 locks that form the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system which extends from Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean. Together these 16 locks lift or lower ships 600 feet – the height of a 60 story building. Since the Soo Locks closed in January, the Corps has been busy executing winter maintenance, repair and rehabilitation projects. Projects included the installation of a hydraulic system for the Poe Lock; anchorage repairs and dewatering bulkhead coating replacement on the Poe Lock; and work on the MacArthur Lock’s electrical modernization.

23 Oct 2015

Interlake Steamship to Install More Scrubbers

(Photo: Interlake Steamship Company)

As vessel owners struggle over the best and most efficient means to meet stringent new emission regulations, the Interlake Steamship Company has proven phase one of emissions-reduction technology on Great Lakes;  and two additional ships are to be outfitted with exhaust gas scrubbers in 2016. Following the implementation of exhaust gas scrubbers on its self-unloading bulk carrier M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, the Interlake Steamship Company said it plans to expand its emission-reduction efforts to one-third of its fleet by installing similar scrubber systems on the M/V Lee A.

11 Aug 2015

Interlake Steamship to Install Scrubbers on 2 More Ships

M/V Lee A. Tregurtha (Photo: Interlake Steamship Company)

Following the implementation of exhaust gas scrubbers on its self-unloading bulk carrier M/V Hon. James L. Oberstar, the Interlake Steamship Company has announced its plans to expand its emission-reduction efforts to one-third of its fleet by installing similar scrubber systems on the M/V Lee A. Tregurtha and M/V James R. Barker early next year. In April 2015, Interlake became the first U.S.-flag fleet to test freshwater scrubbers on the Great Lakes when the system became operational on the 806-foot Oberstar.

27 Mar 2015

Soo Locks Open for Great Lakes Shipping Season

At 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially opened the Soo Locks for the start of the 2015 Great Lakes shipping season. The locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan are among 16 locks that form the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system which extends from Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Together these 16 locks lift or lower ships 600 feet - the height of a 60 story building. Since the Soo Locks closed in January, the Corps has been busy executing winter maintenance, repair and rehabilitation projects. In total, the agency spent $9.5 million on various projects to enhance the reliability of the Poe and MacArthur Locks.

26 Mar 2015

Soo Locks Open for Cargo Ships

Despite the chilly temperatures and heavy snowfall the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened the Soo Locks for the start of the Great Lakes shipping season. The Edwin H. Gott, a 1,004-foot freighter, was the first ship to enter the Poe Lock. The Gott was followed by the Roger Blough, with both ships going upbound into Lake Superior to collect iron ore. The locks at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan are among 16 locks that form the St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system, which extends from Duluth, to the Atlantic Ocean. "We're looking forward to the new shipping season," said Mark Barker, president of the Interlake Steamship Company based in Ohio. Since the Soo Locks closed in January, the Army Corps of Engineers has spent 9.5 million dollars on repairs. The St.

14 Apr 2014

Toledo Maritime Academy Hosts Admiral’s Ball Weekend

The Maritime Academy of Toledo Foundation wrapped up a successful Admiral’s Ball Weekend on Saturday, April 12, with the fourth Annual Admiral’s Ball and Charity Auction. More than 130 people attended the event which brought in $22,000 for the educational needs for cadets at the school. The theme for this year’s event was “Chart Their Course for Success With Us”. It was sponsored by The Toledo Blade, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Dickenson Wright PLLC, Genoa Bank, IBEW, Local 8, as well as Ed Conn and Saga Schoffner.

01 Oct 2013

SHIPPINGInsight Conference Convenes This Month

Executives from 20 shipping companies and 40 expert panelists will share case studies on improving efficiency in ship operations with an expected 100 registered delegates at the 2013 SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference, at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn., Oct. 22-24. “We’ve assembled an impressive lineup of moderators, panelists and speakers for this year’s conference,” said co-producer Frank Soccoli. “Top executives from major shipowners will share their insights on the challenges facing today’s shipping industry. The conference agenda covers a full range of issues related to improving profitability in ship operations…

26 Aug 2013

SHIPPINGInsight 2013 Announces Agenda and Speaker List

The SHIPPINGInsight conference producers have finalized the agenda and confirmed speaker list for the 2013 Fleet Optimization Conference, scheduled for Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn. “The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Connect and Engage,’” said conference co-producer Frank Soccoli. “We are bringing together an impressive lineup of speakers, moderators, panelists, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates representing all segments of the shipping industry. New for 2013 is an extra LNG Workshop, which will take the form of a roundtable discussion of experts to consider the barriers, challenges, solutions and best practices for achieving widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. The workshop is free for all registered delegates.

30 Jul 2013

LNG Focus at 2013 Fleet Optimization Conference

Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of Tote, Inc., will be the opening-day keynote speaker. He will review his company's experiences with LNG technology.

The practical challenges of using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel will be a major theme of the 2013 SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference, Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn. “A number of major shipping companies are placing orders for new LNG-powered ships and others are considering converting their existing ships to run on LNG,” said Frank Soccoli, coproducer, SHIPPINGInsight. Given the intense industry focus on the potential benefits of converting to LNG, a dedicated LNG workshop is being added this year.

08 May 2013

Interlake Steamship to Convert Lakers to LNG

Interlake's MV Dorothy Ann

Interlake Steamship moves toward upgrading its fleet to energy efficient, more environmentally friendly LNG fuel. The company has announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with Shell to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG)  to support Interlake’s conversion of its vessels to LNG as the main propulsion fuel. When converted, these ships are expected to be the first LNG-powered ships on the Great Lakes and among the first in the U.S. With a goal of converting the first vessel by the spring of 2015…

16 Apr 2013

Maritime Academy to Host K-12 Maritime Education Symposium

Photo: The Maritime Academy of Toledo

Renee Marazon, Superintendent, The Maritime Academy of Toledo, announced that the first-ever “K-12 Maritime Education Great Lakes and Inland Waterways Symposium” will be held Friday, April 26, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Maritime Academy at 803 Water St. in Toledo. The symposium is being held the day before, and in conjunction with, The Maritime Academy’s Third Annual Admiral’s Ball, the school’s annual major fund-raiser. The Admiral’s Ball will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Fifth-Third Center at One SeaGate in Downtown Toledo.

26 Aug 2011

Transport Secretary LaHood Names Maritime Industry Advisory Panel

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today announced the appointment of 29 members to the new Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council (MTSNAC), established to advise the Department on matters relating to marine transportation. “Shifting some of our freight from the highways to open inland waterways is a fuel-efficient, cost-effective way to move goods and reduce roadway congestion,” said Secretary LaHood. The Department will task the MTSNAC with developing recommendations on establishing new marine highway services and port infrastructure development, among other issues. “The experience brought to bear by this diverse panel is impressive,” said Maritime Administrator David Matsuda. “These maritime experts have a lot to contribute.

11 Mar 2011

SUNY Maritime College Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner

State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College’s annual Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, on the College’s Throgs Neck, Bronx, New York campus. The event will begin at 6:00 pm with a cocktail hour, followed by the awards dinner at 7 pm in Vander Clute Hall. During the Admiral’s Scholarship Dinner, SUNY Maritime College will salute two Maritime graduates, Mark Barker, president, The Interlake Steamship Company, Cleveland, Ohio as well asThomas Merrell, president, General Dynamics, American Overseas Marine (AMSEA), in Quincy, Mass. The chemical tanker owner, BLT Chembulk Group  headquartered in Southport, Conn., will also be honored that evening.

27 Apr 2007

Barker Named Interlake President

The Board of Directors of The Interlake Steamship Company announced that Mark W. Barker has been elected President. He succeeds James R. Barker, who will remain as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mark Barker has most recently been Interlake’s Vice President and Treasurer. He has also served as Interlake’s Director of Engineering, Assistant Vice President, and Fleet Engineer. Previously, he held assistant engineer positions aboard several Interlake ships. A graduate of the State University of New York at Fort Schuyler, he received his M.B.A. from the Case Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland, OH.