by Duluth Guest » January 6, 2017, 9:41 am
Just pure speculation but I think GLF is in the situation where, with the Charter of the Great Republic to them, they are actually in a situation where they have excess capacity. With the M/V John G. Munson returning to service, one of their steamers is likely to be idled.
I was actually quite surprised when they announced the dieselization of the Munson considering that her capacity isn't significantly higher than the AAAs and she is still equipped with the older bucket style of self-unloader. I believe it's the last unloader of that particular design. The AAAs have a much more common, efficient, and newer loop-belt style self unloader design that I figured would have made them a more practical candidate for dieselization especially since the Kaye E. Barker, another AAA, has already been converted. Although, if I recall, there was a complication with the Barker's steering mechanicals during that particular conversion that GLF would also have to address with the other AAAs. All that said, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Anderson converted once the dieselization project of the Munson is completed and proved out.
Just pure speculation but I think GLF is in the situation where, with the Charter of the Great Republic to them, they are actually in a situation where they have excess capacity. With the M/V John G. Munson returning to service, one of their steamers is likely to be idled.
I was actually quite surprised when they announced the dieselization of the Munson considering that her capacity isn't significantly higher than the AAAs and she is still equipped with the older bucket style of self-unloader. I believe it's the last unloader of that particular design. The AAAs have a much more common, efficient, and newer loop-belt style self unloader design that I figured would have made them a more practical candidate for dieselization especially since the Kaye E. Barker, another AAA, has already been converted. Although, if I recall, there was a complication with the Barker's steering mechanicals during that particular conversion that GLF would also have to address with the other AAAs. All that said, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Anderson converted once the dieselization project of the Munson is completed and proved out.