Lower Lakes Towing Ltd., which transports bulk cargo to Canadian and U.S. Great Lakes ports, took delivery of its newest Canadian self-unloading vessel in China. The M/V Manitoulin will have the largest carrying capacity of any existing river class self-unloader and is expected to be the most efficient vessel of its class on the Great Lakes. The new addition increases the size of Lower Lakes’ fleet to 16, including 10 Canadian-flagged and six U.S.-flagged vessels, and supports recent new long-term business that the company has been awarded.
“This vessel is the first new river class self-unloader to be introduced into Great Lakes service in over 40 years,” commented Scott Bravener, President of Lower Lakes Towing. “This additional capacity reaffirms the company’s commitment to support the growth of its customers. When the Manitoulin arrives in November, it will immediately start carrying limestone to various ports within the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Seaway system to support the construction industry, which has been a strong sector for us this season.”
- Media Release: Lower Lakes Towing
- Article: Brazil Times
- Video: Watch launch of Manitoulin forebody earlier this year
Ongoing commodity price pressures continued to impact overall tonnage volumes through the St. Lawrence Seaway in September, however, the shipping industry was buoyed by a number of investments in recent weeks by ship operators and ports.
“Despite slower iron ore and coal, growth continues on the Seaway in shipments for domestic sectors like construction, salt mining, agriculture and manufacturing,” said Stephen Brooks, President of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “Strength in these sectors along with the investments we’ve seen in recent weeks are testament to the vitality of Great Lakes-Seaway shipping.”
