Page 34: of Marine News Magazine (October 2022)

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MN

The Interlake Steamship Company

The Interlake

Steamship

Company

T I M PHE NTERLAKE ARITIME ARTNERS

Louisiana-based Maritime Partners, LLC is a privately

S CTEAMSHIP OMPANY

The Interlake Steamship Company is one of the biggest held company leading the way in maritime assets, vessel names in Great Lakes shipping. And while the privately leasing solutions and construction ? nancing in the United held, family-owned company has roots that go back over States. With a ? eet of more than 1,600 vessels—including 100 years, it also has its sights set on the future. This year, a broad range of push boats, tugs, barges dredges and oth- the Ohio-based company launched the Mark W. Barker, er assets, and with an estimated fair market value of $1.2 billion—Maritime Partners is the nation’s largest lessor of the ? rst newbuild Jones Act laker in nearly four decades.

“This is truly a historic celebration for our company marine vessels and equipment, working with some of the and for the United States maritime industry as we proudly biggest names in the business. Its assets transport the com- christen the newest vessel to join the U.S. ? ag ? eet on the modities that comprise the building blocks of the domestic

Great Lakes and our ? rst new build in 41 years,” Mark economy, including agricultural products, chemicals, ag- gregates, crude oil and re? ned petroleum products.

W. Barker, President of The Interlake Steamship Company

Among recent growth highlights, Maritime Partners at and the vessel’s namesake, said during the vessel’s christen- ing ceremony. “While this ship may bear my name, it is the end of 2021 acquired the portfolio of J. Russell Flow- ers, Inc., and this summer it agreed to acquire M/G Trans- a testament to the innovation, skill and grit of our em- ployees who have powered our industry and propelled our port Holdings LLC.

The company is also working to develop the innova- company for more than 130 years.”

Built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Wisconsin, the tive Hydrogen One towboat, the ? rst of its kind glob- vessel measures 639 feet in length, 78 feet in beam, 45 ally to run on emissions-reducing methanol-to-hydrogen feet in molded depth and 28,000 dead weight tons. It will generator technology—no diesel propulsion on board— transport raw materials such as salt, iron ore and stone to as the maritime industry continues to plot its course toward cleaner vessel operations. The groundbreaking support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes re- vessel was designed by Seattle-based Elliott Bay Design gion. The ship will also be capable of transporting specialty

Group and will be built at Intracoastal Iron Works in cargoes such as steel coils and windmill towers and blades.

34 | MN October 2022