DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – The first U-S flagged Great Lakes freighter built since the early 1980’s is due in Duluth-Superior Tuesday morning. New estimated arrival time is around 11 a-m.
The Interlake Steamship Company’s “Mark W. Barker” was built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and launched in late July.
The 639 foot ship is arriving with 22 thousand tons of salt and will be leaving with a load of iron ore.
The “Mark W. Barker” features a forward unloading boom and a combination of hatch openings and additional cargo hold space.
It is made of steel manufactured in Indiana from iron ore delivered by ship from Minnesota.
Duluth Seaway Port Authority Director, Deb DeLuca says they are excited to welcome the new ship saying its versatility and environmental efficiency will make it a tremendous asset to the nation’s supply chain.
