GeoLocation
Great Lakes Towing Company has ordered two Damen-designed harbor tugs from Great Lakes Shipyard in Cleveland. The vessels, Hulls 11 and 12, will extend the company’s fleet renewal and expansion program, with construction due to start later this year and deliveries set for late 2027 and early 2028.
Fraser Industries signed a memorandum of understanding on July 31 with the American Great Lakes Ports Association and the Great Lakes Alliance of Shipyards. The agreement was described as the first formal partnership between the U.S. Great Lakes port and shipyard communities.
The 678-foot S/S Wilfred Sykes left Fraser Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin, this past weekend after hull repairs and other work. Fraser said Central Marine Logistics again chose the yard for the vessel.
Joe Starck will retire as CEO of The Great Lakes Towing Company on July 2, 2026, after 35 years with the business. Gregg Thauvette and Tom Rigolo will continue to lead the towing and shipyard divisions, while CFO Ken Kure remains in post.
Great Lakes Towing Company is recruiting experienced tugboat captains for its Great Lakes fleet. The company says licensed captains who join the fleet can receive a qualification bonus, and relocation to the region is required with company-paid moving expenses.
MV Kilimanjaro IV, an Azam Marine Limited passenger ferry from Dar es Salaam, has docked at Kenya Shipyards Limited’s Mombasa facility for repairs and maintenance. The yard says the shipyard, built in 2020, can handle vessels of up to 4,000 tonnes and has workshops for electrical, engineering, fitting, carpentry and hull work.