The 2026-2027 Shipping Season is Underway!

Chrissy KadleckMedia, Newsroom

It’s our favorite #FreighterFriday of the year: Interlake’s full fleet of 11 commercial vessels is underway for the 2026-2027 Great Lakes shipping season! We’re ready to crisscross the Lakes more than 700 times this season and deliver more than 20 million tons of essential cargoes that are the building blocks of America. Our proud, family-owned fleet is U.S. crewed, U.S. built and U.S. owned. We are #madeinamerica. Thank you to all the talented photographers and videographers on the Lakes, and to our incredible mariners working aboard our vessels, who shared their amazing content with us over the season to make …

200+ Michiganders shaped U-M-led state maritime strategy

Chrissy KadleckMedia, Newsroom

After talking with lake freighter engineers and shipping company CEOs, boating clubs and ferry captains, frying oil upcyclers and soybean farmers growing crops for biofuels, and many others, Thomas McKenney and his University of Michigan team found a common thread through Michigan’s maritime sector. “While everyone had a unique perspective and viewpoints, all participants emphasized their strong belief that Michigan can do more and is well-positioned to become a national maritime leader,” said McKenney, an associate professor of practice of naval architecture and marine engineering. https://news.umich.edu/200-michiganders-shaped-u-m-led-state-maritime-strategy

Officials build small-scale model of Soo Locks in effort to address ice delays for ships

Chrissy KadleckMedia, Newsroom

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other partners are working to find new ways to address ice in the Soo Locks, which can cause significant shipping delays during the winter shipping season. Each winter and spring, according to the Corps of Engineers, the Poe Lock experiences navigational impacts due to ice flow. The Poe is the largest lock in the Soo, and officials expect to see the same challenges at the new lock when it’s complete in 2030. During the spring, ice flows into the lock chambers, which slows traffic and forces the locks to cycle more often, which …

Interlake Steamship Explores Benefits of Shore-to-Ship Drone Deliveries For Critical Cargo

Chrissy KadleckMedia, Newsroom

Using shore-to-ship drone deliveries, Interlake Steamship explored the benefits of drones for supplementing regular deliveries from supply boats, with the potential to cut delays and reduce emissions. https://www.maritimemagazines.com/marine-news/202506/interlake-trials-drone-delivery-to-ships

Meet Our Veterans: Patrick Murray

Chrissy KadleckNewsroom

We are especially thankful and proud to employ many veterans in our company and throughout our fleet. Their brave service and sacrifice to our country is admirable and awe-inspiring. In honor of Veteran’s Day today, we are highlighting one of their stories. Meet Patrick Murray, U.S. Navy Veteran Following in the footsteps of family members and being encouraged by them to join the military is what initially sparked Pat Murray’s interest in the Navy. “My father served aboard a Navy ship as a naval officer during the Korean War and he always spoke fondly of his experiences in the service,” …

Cover Story: July issue of Cleveland Magazine

Chrissy KadleckMedia, Newsroom

THE READ Life Aboard the Great Lakes’ Newest Cargo Ship Meet the crew that keeps things running, day and night, on the Mark W. Barker: a new vessel designed specifically to navigate the Cuyahoga River. Annie Nickoloff Thursday, June 20, 2024 https://clevelandmagazine.com/articles/life-aboard-the-mark-w-barker-the-great-lakes-newest-cargo-ship