Mark W. Barker, the first new US-flagged Great Lakes bulker in almost 40 years, has successfully completed sea trials and will now begin trading throughout the freshwater lakes and river networks.
She was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for The Interlake Steamship Company.
The single screw Mark W. Barker is designed to transport salt, iron ore, stone, and other bulk cargoes throughout some of the narrowest rivers in North America’s Great Lakes region, including the tight bends of the Cuyahoga River
With a hull optimized for energy ,efficiency the 28,000dwt River class bulker is powered by a pair of 400hp main engines driving a single controllable pitch propeller through twin-input, single output reduction gearbox.
She is the first ship to operate on the Great Lakes with engines that meet EPA Tier 4 emissions standards.
