STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The first Great Lakes freighter in nearly 40 years has departed Sturgeon Bay on its maiden voyage Wednesday.
The 639-foot M/V Mark W. Barker left Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding Wednesday on its 110-mile journey to Port Inland, Michigan. It’s the company’s first new build since 1981.
The M/V Mark W. Barker, a self-unloading bulk carrier, is believed to be the first ship for U.S. Great Lakes service built on the Great Lakes since 1983. The ship will transport raw materials such as salt, iron ore, and stone to support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes region.
“The construction of this vessel, which was made from steel manufactured in Indiana, from iron ore delivered by vessel from Minnesota, reinforces our long-term commitment to shipping and delivering essential cargoes for our customers throughout the region,” said Mark W. Barker, President of The Interlake Steamship Company and namesake of the vessel.
When the M/V Mark W. Barker arrives in Michigan, a crew of 21 mariners will load 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,” says 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.”
Under construction since August 2019, the M/V Mark W. Barker was built by hundreds of dedicated workers at the Sturgeon Bay shipyard.
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