Forebody launched for new Rand self-unloader

A new forebody for a Rand Logistics River Class self-unloader was recently at China's Chengxi Shipyard

APRIL 22, 2015—One of the largest bulk shipping companies on the Great Lakes, Rand Logistics, Inc., New York, NY, recently announced the launch of new forebody at China’s Chengxi Shipyard Co. The new forebody will be affixed to the aft section of Rand’s recently acquired Danish-flagged vessel as we reported last month.

When it is introduced in the fourth quarter of this year, the new Rand ship will become the first new Canadian-flagged River Class self-unloader introduced into service on the Great Lakes in over 40 years. It will increase the size of Rand’s fleet to 16, including 10 Canadian-flagged and six U.S.-flagged vessels (including three Articulated Tug Barge units). When introduced, it will have the largest carrying capacity of any existing Canadian-flagged River Class self-unloader.

Rand vessels carry aggregates, coal, iron ore, salt, and grain. River Class ships vary in length from 620 to 650 feet in length, ith carrying capacities ranging from 17,000 to 22,000 tons.

Scott Bravener, President of Lower Lakes Towing, called the launch of the forebody a “milestone event.” He said, “As we have reported previously, the new vessel is fully booked with long-term contractual business and is expected to be the most efficient river class vessel on the Great Lakes. The introduction of this vessel into service is one of the elements of our strategic plan to improve our return on invested capital and, based on our current expectations, the new vessel will be accretive to return on invested capital in its first full year of service.”