Michigan Trader

Michigan Trader

2020-Present

Articulated Barge, Self-Unloading Bulk Carrier; Paired with Tugboat Dirk S. VanEnkevort

Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/2/2021. Roger LeLievre

Specs

Build Information

Year Built: 2020

Builder: Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Hull #787

Registry: U.S. 1304610

IMO #–

Laid Down: May 10, 2019

Launch Date: May 2020

Commissioned: November 20, 2020

Paired Tugboats:

Construction

The Michigan Trader was constructed in 2020 as an articulated self-unloading barge by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for VanEnkevort Tug & Barge of Escanaba, Michigan. She was equipped with a Hydraconn Articulated Tug/Barge connection system, which was pioneered by her owners. She was paired with the tugboat Dirk S. VanEnkevort. She was launched between May 27 and May 30, 2020, and was delivered to her owners in October 2020.

The Michigan Trader was the third of three similarly designed barges, the other two being the Great Lakes Trader of 2000 and the Lakes Contender [Erie Trader, 2017] of 2012. All of these barges are currently under ownership of VanEnkevort Tug & Barge.

Her self-unloading equipment consists of a single hold belt and an aft loop-belt system feeding a 265′ deck-mounted boom.

General Stats

Length Overall [Combined Tug & Barge]: 857′

Length Overall [Barge]: 740′

Breadth: 78′

Depth: 45′

Loaded Draft: 30′

Capacity: 37,512 Tons

Vessel Type: Loop-Belt Self-Unloader; Articulated Barge

Self-Unloading Boom Length: Aft-Mounted; 265′

Number of Cargo Holds: 7 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: –]

Number of Hatches: 26 [Dimensions: 44’x11′]

Primary Operations: Ore, Stone Trades

History

Lineage

Michigan Trader – 2020-Present

Owner: VanEnkevort Tug & Barge, Escanaba, MI

Operator: VanEnkevort Tug & Barge

Flag: United States

Home Port: Escanaba, MI

Her Story

VanEnkevort Tug & Barge signed a construction contract with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in summer of 2017 for a new 740′ barge similar to their barges Great Lakes Trader and Erie Trader. The new barge, named Michigan Trader was constructed in 2020 as an articulated self-unloading barge. She was equipped with a Hydraconn Articulated Tug/Barge connection system, which was pioneered by her owners. She was paired with the tugboat Dirk S. VanEnkevort, which is the former Joseph H. Thompson Jr. The tug underwent a refit at Donjon Shipbuilding & Repair at Erie, Pennsylvania while the barge was under construction. She was launched between May 27 and May 30, 2020, and delivered to her owners in October 2020.

Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort departed Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on their maiden voyage on November 20, 2020.

Compiled By Brendan Falkowski

Updated on January 8, 2021

  • Michigan Trader in drydock while under construction at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, May 24, 2020. Photo by Daniel Lindner
  • Michigan Trader fitting out at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, July 25, 2020. Photo by Daniel Lindner
  • Michigan Trader fitting out at Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, July 25, 2020. Photo by Daniel Lindner
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort on the St. Marys River with her maiden cargo, November 25, 2020. Photo by Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort in the Rock Cut on the St. Marys River with her maiden cargo, November 25, 2020. Photo by Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort in the Rock Cut on the St. Marys River with her maiden cargo, November 25, 2020. Photo by Roger LeLievre
  • Dirk S. VanEnkevort / Michigan Trader, on the Detroit River, 4/4/2021. Isaac Pennock
  • Dirk S. VanEnkevort / Michigan Trader, on the Detroit River, 4/4/2021. Isaac Pennock
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/2/2021. Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/2/2021. Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/2/2021. Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/17/2021. Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort, St. Marys River, 8/22/2021. Roger LeLievre
  • Michigan Trader / Dirk S. VanEnkevort on the St. Marys River, 8/31/2021. Sam Hankinson

Sources

Greenwood’s Guide to Great Lakes Shipping 2016, Harbor House Publishers, 2016. Pp. 4.10.

LeLievre, Roger. Know Your Ships 2020. Marine Publishing Company, 2020. Pp. 86.

Wharton, George. “Great Lakes Trader”. Great Lakes & Seaway Shipping Online. N.d. Accessed 11 June 2020. <http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/greatlakestrader.htm>

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