ASC's Buffalo Sold Canadian

[NiagaraMike]

Not sure what that means -fix steel ???

[Darryl]

We're going to fix steel! It's going to be great!

[Guest72]

Next question for Guest what Algoma ships will be going to the bone Yard. Also what are the chances of American Valour and American Victory ending up either in Port Colborne or Alang. Algoma does not seem to have much use for older ships even if their in good shape. (James Norris)

[Duluthian]

http://www.americansteamship.com/fleet/index.php

ASC updated their fleet list. One curiosity is that the ATB Ken Boothe Sr. / Lakes Contender appears on the list.

If they plan on leasing that vessel for next season, that would explain how they could run 12 ships but still leave the American Courage at the wall, which NJA alluded to in his post below.

[Guest]

Just a couple of uncomfortable realities:

A) Capacity, long term, will go down. Coal, regardless of any political proclamations, is rather rapidly going away as a feedstock for power plants.

B) Domestic taconite usage will never return to the levels of the 70's.

Given this, I could easily see GATX selling off assets or eventually spinning ASC off. Remember, they are a rail car leasing company first and foremost.

[NiagaraMike]

The only thing that confuses me is American Valor is 767 feet long.
That rules out the Welland Canal ???

[Guest]

I'm happy to see two classics at least have a chance, and for two others to live on instead of remaining idle.

Hoping to see the Middletown through the Seaway after hopefully being repowered (Instead of losing the forward pilothouse and being mated to an existing stern, or worse, being barged). Maybe sometime later in 2019...

[Duluthian]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/ ... 005998/en/
Y
It’s official, Algoma bought the Buffalo, Adam E. Cornelius, American Valor, and American Victory. Looks like the Buffalo and the Cornelius will be put to immediate use, and that the A. Valor and A. Victory may be turned into tug/barges or repowered.

It’s sad to see these vessels become Canadian, and subjected to the salt trade, but good to see them put to productive use. Also on the bright side, the sale of these vessels could lead to the American Courage sailing in 2018. Further, should demand continue to grow next year, you could see Interlake dust off their plans to convert the Sherwin into a self-unloader. After this sale, none of the American fleets will have a lot of excess capacity.

Sad?!? Speak for yourself!! That's 4 less ships I have a potential opportunity to work on!! Also, at the conference call they held, the office said they don't see them operating the Courage next year. They're selling them because they don't see any growing demand next year or maybe even after that!! The Sherwin is probably another pipe dream although I can't say I know anything about Interlake. I think it's time to dust off my salt water credentials!

I didn’t mean to offend. All of us for sad for different reasons.

I am surprised to hear about the American Courage though. ACS would need to bring her out if they planned on running 12 boats again next year. Are they expecting demand to fall off a bit next season?

[Chris M]

Sail the diesels and probably scrap the steamers

[TB Guest]

I wonder where any repowering or conversion to a barge or mating of a forward and aft section would take place. Maybe the Heddle ship yard in Thunder Bay will be booming after all. Just a speculation. I see Fabmar vehicles in and out of the old yard all the time now with the Tad in the dry dock so I guess things went through with the merger as was reported in our local news long ago. It would be nice to see a busy yard again.

[Guest]

What will they do with these ships now?

[NJA]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/ ... 005998/en/
Y
It’s official, Algoma bought the Buffalo, Adam E. Cornelius, American Valor, and American Victory. Looks like the Buffalo and the Cornelius will be put to immediate use, and that the A. Valor and A. Victory may be turned into tug/barges or repowered.

It’s sad to see these vessels become Canadian, and subjected to the salt trade, but good to see them put to productive use. Also on the bright side, the sale of these vessels could lead to the American Courage sailing in 2018. Further, should demand continue to grow next year, you could see Interlake dust off their plans to convert the Sherwin into a self-unloader. After this sale, none of the American fleets will have a lot of excess capacity.

Sad?!? Speak for yourself!! That's 4 less ships I have a potential opportunity to work on!! Also, at the conference call they held, the office said they don't see them operating the Courage next year. They're selling them because they don't see any growing demand next year or maybe even after that!! The Sherwin is probably another pipe dream although I can't say I know anything about Interlake. I think it's time to dust off my salt water credentials!

[Guest]

Bet on the H. Lee White and one of the footers being renamed for Cornelius and for Buffalo.

[Guest]

From my understanding the Maistee was moved to make room for the Rebuplic to lay up where she was.

[Guest]

Was the move if the Manistee in Toledo necessary in order to tow the Valor out of the C&O slip? It'll be so interesting to see how this all unfolds, new names and trade routes, etc., and what will become of the steamers. And which ASC boat gets renamed the Cornelius.

[ashland69]

Story in Financial Post Canada that Algoma Central has purchased four US SHIPS. MV Buffalo, MV Adam E Cornelius, SS American Valour, SS American Victory.

All I can say is...Wow!

I agree, 100%. I think the Buffalo and Cornelius will run as they are, but I'd like to see the Valor get converted to a tug/barge combination and the Victory get upgraded and dieselized. Wonder they'll be renamed? I also wonder if the Cornelius will be towed from Huron to Sarnia in the next few days.

[ashland69]

Are the boats that are being retired and replaced any worse than the ones there buying?

I would say, generally speaking, the boats Algoma bought are probably in very good shape. From limited personal experience, I find that American companies generally take better care of their boats than do Canadian operators. Just an observation. On top of that, take a look at the American Fortitude. I understand that her hull was in great shape. Overall, I think Canadian boats carry more salt and such stuff than do American boats. Consequently, on the basis, American hulls are much less beat up. In summation, I would imagine that the boats being replaced are really quite finished. Just my opinion.

[Duluthian]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/ ... 005998/en/

Here’s the link to the official announcement.

[Duluthian]

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/ ... 005998/en/
Y
It’s official, Algoma bought the Buffalo, Adam E. Cornelius, American Valor, and American Victory. Looks like the Buffalo and the Cornelius will be put to immediate use, and that the A. Valor and A. Victory may be turned into tug/barges or repowered.

It’s sad to see these vessels become Canadian, and subjected to the salt trade, but good to see them put to productive use. Also on the bright side, the sale of these vessels could lead to the American Courage sailing in 2018. Further, should demand continue to grow next year, you could see Interlake dust off their plans to convert the Sherwin into a self-unloader. After this sale, none of the American fleets will have a lot of excess capacity.

[Guest]

Story in Financial Post Canada that Algoma Central has purchased four US SHIPS. MV Buffalo, MV Adam E Cornelius, SS American Valour, SS American Victory.

All I can say is...Wow!