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Carrier will also manage crewing and technical requirements
for MarineLink
By RON SAMSON
August 30, 2010
Great Lakes Feeder Lines’ second vessel, the Arctic Sea, made its inaugural visit to the Port of Hamilton at the end of July to discharge steel coils at Pier 14, operated by Federal Marine Terminals. The coils, made in Spain, will be galvanized in Hamilton before being delivered to a prominent car-maker.
“It was exciting to see one of our ships in Hamilton for the first time and so close to our home base in Burlington,” said Aldert van Nieuwkoop, president of Great Lakes Feeder Lines Management Inc. “Our Dutch Runner has been to Toronto and hopefully there will be more calls in Lake Ontario and the area.
“Thanks to the services of FMT, the Arctic Sea was discharged in record time.”
The Arctic Sea left Hamilton for Maine to take on a full cargo of wood pulp destined for the Mediterranean.
“We’ve already booked a cargo for her to come back from the Mediterranean to be delivered to Newfoundland,” Mr. van Nieuwkoop said. “There’s good demand for the ship and we’re excited to be breaking into international trade. We’re looking to expand that possibly with different vessel types.”
Meanwhile, MarineLink, which provides short-sea shipping services in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system, has entered into an agreement with GLFL Management Inc. that will see GLFL provide the management of the crewing and technical requirements for MarineLink’s vessels.
“We discussed with MarineLink the possibilities of combining some of our resources to help each become more efficient,” Mr. van Nieuwkoop said. “This has culminated in a management agreement that sees us assume responsibility for the technical and crewing aspects while commercial management remains with MarineLink.
“This arrangement appears to be working well. Our established management and safety systems, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, crewing rosters, operating manuals and procedures have been implemented on board their vessels, allowing the owners to focus their attention on securing profitable employment for their vessels.”
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