Lakers & Salties
More than 25 companies operate ships on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway System. Find the latest information on shipbuilding, ship innovations, and technological advances here.
Ryan McDonough: Sailing Up the Career Ladder With Grand River
Ryan McDonough, 30, banked his future on a career as a Great Lakes mariner and finds it’s an ideal choice. The merchant marine industry is where good pay, travel, time... Read More
Laker Launch: Mark W. Barker Hits the Water
October 28, 2021, is a date that will go down in history for many stakeholders throughout the Great Lakes/Seaway system. It’s the day Mark W. Barker became more than president... Read More
In Focus: The Final ‘Sail’ — Mississagi towed to Canadian scrapyard
Most of what’s left from the World War II era is found in the history books or in the memories of senior soldiers and their families. In October, the Mississagi... Read More
Arctic Sailing
“Near the top of the world, there’s a place so remote that only the toughest dare stay. To live in the Arctic you must be resilient, resourceful and willing to... Read More
Alternative Energy: What’s in It for Us?
One would think that writing a recurring article every quarter or so and coming up with new subjects or topics that are not only informative but also relevant would be... Read More
Canadian Ballast Regs Under Fire: Domestic Fleets Point Out Competitive Disadvantages, Impact on Post-pandemic Recovery
Ballast Water Regulations released by Transport Canada (TC) in June continue to make waves. The new law applies to vessels operating in Canadian waters and Canadian-flagged vessels trading anywhere in... Read More
Getting Ready to Break: Heddle Shipyards Completes Work on Canadian Coast Guard Vessels
As the temperatures drop, the need for icebreakers approaches. An important part of keeping commerce moving during the shoulder seasons, shipyards in the Great Lakes/Seaway compete for contracts to build... Read More
In Short: News from July–September 2021
Senate Passes Historic Infrastructure Package On August 10, the U.S. Senate enacted an infrastructure investment package totaling nearly $1.2 trillion. H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was negotiated... Read More
In Focus: New Interlake Vessel Takes Shape
M/V Mark W. Barker has a bow. The ship’s construction is in full gear at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The hull of the 639-foot vessel is complete... Read More