Canadian Transport – Algoma Transport
1979-Present
Specs
Build Information
Year Built: 1979
Builder: Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Catharines, ON
Hull #64
Registry: CAN. 348360
IMO #7711737
Laid Down: —
Launch Date: October 28, 1978
Commissioned: April 20, 1979
Construction
The Canadian Transport was constructed as a self-unloading bulk carrier for Upper Lakes Shipping of Toronto, Ontario. She was built to work under Upper Lakes’ coal-hauling contract for Ontario Hydro.
The Canadian Transport is the nearly identical sister ship to the Canadian Enterprise, the only difference between the two ships is that the Enterprise has a different stern design with a special tunnel configuration and large propeller to make her more efficient and cost-effective to operate.
The Canadian Transport was equipped with an aft-mounted loop-belt style self-unloading system with a large box hold design with a single belt running down the middle. A reclaiming machine was also installed inside the cargo hold.
In February 2011, Algoma Central Corporation purchased Upper Lakes Shipping and their fleet. The Canadian Transport was renamed Algoma Transport. The Algoma Transport continues to be an active member of the Algoma Central fleet, serving the ore, coal, and salt markets.
Her self-unloading equipment consists of a single hold belt leading to an aft loop-belt system to a 250′ deck-mounted boom.
General Stats
Length Overall: 730′
Length Between Perpendiculars: 724′
Breadth: 75’11”
Depth: 46’07”
Loaded Draft: 30’10”
Capacity: 33,678 Tons
Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader
Self-Unloading Boom Length: Aft-Mounted; 249’04”
Number of Cargo Holds: 1 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 22]
Number of Hatches: 22 [Dimensions: 53’08”x20′]
Primary Operations: Ore, Coal, Salt Trades
Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller
Rudders: 2
Engineering Equipment
Original
Engine
Engine Type: Diesel Engine
Engine Manufacturer: M.A.N., Augsburg, Germany
Engine Model: 8L40/45
Number of Engines: 2
Rated HP: 10,000 BHP
History
Lineage
Canadian Transport – 1979-1993
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Upper Lakes Shipping
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Canadian Transport – 1993-2011
Owner: Upper Lakes Shipping, Toronto, ON
Operator: Seaway Marine Transport [Partnership between Upper Lakes Shipping and Algoma Central Corp.]
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Algoma Transport – 2011-Present
Owner: Algoma Central Corp., St. Catharines, ON
Operator: Algoma Central Corp.
Flag: Canada
Home Port: Toronto, ON
Her Story
The Canadian Transport was constructed in 1979 as a self-unloading bulk carrier for Upper Lakes Shipping. She was nearly an identical sister ship to the Canadian Enterprise, which entered service a few months later.
The Canadian Transport was floated from drydock at St. Catharines on October 28, 1978, and entered service on April 20, 1979. She would soon settle into her typical trade route, hauling coal from Ohio ports on Lake Erie for Ontario Hydro coal plants in Canada.
In 1993, management was taken over by Seaway Self-Unloaders, later Seaway Marine Transport, a partnership between Upper Lakes Shipping and Algoma Central Corporation to maximize efficiency and profits.
On June 21, 2001, the Canadian Transport suffered an engine room fire while unloading at Nanticoke, Ontario. The engine room was evacuated and the fire put out, and the ship was towed to Port Weller Dry Docks at St. Catharines, Ontario for repairs. She unloaded the remainder of her cargo into her fleetmate Canadian Progress while at the fit out dock at Port Weller Dry Docks. She returned to service a few weeks later after repairs were completed.
In February 2011, Algoma Central Corporation purchased Upper Lakes Shipping and their fleet. The Canadian Transport was renamed Algoma Transport. She continues to serve the iron ore, coal, stone, and salt trades.
Compiled By Brendan Falkowski
Updated on May 27, 2020
Gallery
Canadian Transport on the St. Marys River, 1980’s. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Canadian Transport on the St. Marys River, 1990’s. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Canadian Transport on the St. Marys River, May 22, 2009. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Canadian Transport on the St. Marys River, July 13, 2010. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Canadian Transport on the St. Marys River, August 19, 2011. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Canadian Transport on the Welland Canal, September 16, 2011. Photo by Roger LeLievre Algoma Transport on the St. Marys River, May 23, 2012. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Algoma Transport on the Detroit River, June 22, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport on the Detroit River, October 20, 2013. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport on the Welland Canal, June 29, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport on the Welland Canal, June 29, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport tied up at Port Weller, Ontario, June 30, 2015. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport in the MacArthur Lock, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, May 17, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Algoma Transport on the St. Marys River, May 17, 2017. Photo by Roger LeLievre 
Algoma Transport in winter layup at Port Colborne, Ontario, February 14, 2020. Photo by Isaac Pennock 
Algoma Transport on the St. Clair River, April 28, 2020. Photo by Isaac Pennock
Sources
Ahoy & Farewell II. Marine Historical Society of Detroit, 1996. Pp. 13.
“Algoma Transport”. Algoma Central Corporation. N.d. Accessed 27 May, 2020. <https://www.algonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/TRANSPORT-201409.pdf>
Berry, Sterling P. “Canadian Transport”. Great Lakes Vessel History: Vessel Histories of Sterling P. Berry. N.d. Accessed 12 May 2020. <https://www.greatlakesvesselhistory.com/histories-by-name/c/canadian-transport>
Devendorf, John F. Great Lakes Bulk Carriers, 1869-1985. John F. Devendorf, 1996. Pp. 192.
Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.2.
Wharton, George. “Algoma Transport”. Great Lakes and Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 27 May 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/AlgomaTransport.htm>
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