m/v indiana harbor

[tubawx21]

The Indiana Harbor came to Duluth because Bay Shipbuilding has such a backlog of work, they just couldn't get her finished. I was told Fraser would be finishing the work.

[Sealer]

Its getting to be the same with all shipping companies. Engineers that plan the repairs are giving into the bean counters rather than standing their ground and demanding work that they know needs to be done. Its a gamble that the bean counters want to take. This time they lost on two bets.

You couldn't be more wrong. Its interesting listening to the opinions and ideas thrown out there. There is a reason the Indy came to Duluth to finish bulkhead work- reason only known within the company. The spirit finished an engine overhaul and had some delays. She loaded to get ahead of the rush that was expected.


There is some truth to your statement about how the companies are progressively being tighter on expenses. It all goes with the economy, the dollar, and the tonnage rate. You cant spend dollars when you only have dimes. There are mandatory items that need refurbishment and these ships are not getting younger. The bean counters give a projected budget based on what they think will happen that given year. there are a few more positions below them that dictate where the dollar goes. Its probably not all that easy, and if it is maybe you would be a better candidate to run the company??

Cheers

[Guest]

The state of shipping on the lakes is ever evolving. Coal is a huge factor in that many plants are changing over to Natural gas. The latest administration push for changing the last administrations coal demise will not help tonnage that the footers were built to carry. St. Clair, Marquette, Muskegon, Holland, Harbor Beach to name a few are gone or going to be changed over in next couple of years. So the number of hulls to carry less tonnage is not going to change. We saw the Indy sit out in 15' for a while, we will see that again. Yes the ASC fleet is the newest yet approaching high milage and usage in terms of carrying cargoes. Bulkheads need replacing at certain age just due to what you carry and how you unload. Algoma can afford to build overseas due to exchange rates. Lower Lakes has purchased all the remaining hulls that were not scrapped. On the US side there have been no new builds in terms of ships versus tug barges. Easy math, crew size requirements lower, carrying same tonnage as regular ship if not more (see Van Enkenvort). Interlake investment in repowering has to due with burning heavy oil (bunker C) and complying with emission regulations to allow during a blended fuel, less heavy and more diesel. The scrubbers are another emission related improvement and compliance. They wanted to be the first burning LNG but the infrastructure was not there to support refueling all over the lakes. A little long winded but hopefully sheds light on the state of the fleets.

[Guest]

I would argue with saying that "future commercial shipping on the Great Lakes is doubtful". If so, then why have Algoma, Canada Steamship Lines and Lower Lakes invested in newbuilds? Why would Interlake Steamship invest millions in repowering their older ships? Obviously, Great Lakes shipping has a future.. while demand for iron ore isn't like it was in the period from 1941-1981, it still is the main cargo on the lakes, even if the tonnage is smaller.

The problem American Steamship has is that the majority of their fleet was built during an eight-year period from 1973-1981, meaning those ships are reaching a point where they need increased maintenance and replacements of bulkheads and cargo holds at the same time. The maintenance budget can only stretch so far, so they have to be judicious as to how they spend their money - based on current freight rates.

[Guest]

The boats are approaching 40 years old, the future of commercial shipping on the Great Lakes is doubtful, the companies have not invested in new ships other than the labor cutting tug barge combination

[ebs]

The equipment is either obsolete or not supported. Repowerings would be nice.

[A J]

The bean counters hold the check book, even for payroll, the engineers do not. There are more engineers waiting for work than there are boats running. You do what you can within reason to keep a job.

[Guest]

Its getting to be the same with all shipping companies. Engineers that plan the repairs are giving into the bean counters rather than standing their ground and demanding work that they know needs to be done. Its a gamble that the bean counters want to take. This time they lost on two bets.

[bob]

whats up with the Indiana harbor it was in sturgeon bay for a 5 year inspection and layup and on its first trip it makes it into Duluth and has been sitting for a week for repairs, same goes for the American spirit it made it to the docks to load and had to go back to the port terminal for repairs for days. I don't ever remember ships leaving layup and needing repairs right away unless it was damage due to ice conditions in years past. is this due to poor quality of parts there getting from customers? or things just happen like this once in awhile. any info is appreciated. tia