Omisalj

Omisalj – Goviken – Algoma Guardian

1987-Present

Algoma Discovery at Port Huron, Michigan, July 11, 2020. Photo by Isaac Pennock

Specs

Build Information

Year Built: 1987

Builder: 3 Maj Brodogradiliste d.d. Shipyard, Rijeka, Croatia

Hull #643

Registry: CAN. 730596

IMO #8505850

Laid Down: —

Launch Date: 1986

Commissioned: 1987

Construction

The Omisalj was one of three sister ships, the other two being the Petka [Sandviken, 2000; Algoma Spirit, 2008;] and the Malinska [Daviken, 1997; Algoma Discovery, 2008;]. These triplets still remain the largest saltwater vessels to visit the Great Lakes.

Modifications

Deck cranes removed, December 2009.

General Stats

Length Overall: 729′

Length Between Perpendiculars: 710’04”

Breadth: 75’09”

Depth: 48’05”

Loaded Draft: 33’10”

Capacity: 34,380 Tons

Vessel Type: Gearless Bulk Carriers

Number of Cargo Holds: 7 [Hatch-Hold Arrangement: 1-1-1-1-1-1-1]

Number of Hatches: 7 [Dimensions: #1 – 48’x44′; #2, 4, 6 – 47’x44′; #3, 5, 7 – 63’x44′]

Primary Operations: Ore, Grain Trade

Propellers: 1 Controllable Pitch Propeller

Rudders: 1

Engineering Equipment

Original

Engine

Engine Type: Diesel Engine

Engine Manufacturer: Sulzer, Winterthur, Switzerland

Engine Model: 6RTA62

Number of Engines: 1

Rated HP: 15,490 BHP

History

Lineage

Omisalj – 1987-1989

Owner: Jugolinija [State-operated shipping line of Yugoslavia]

Operator: Jugolinija

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Omisalj – 1988-1989

Owner: Jugolinija [State-operated shipping line of Yugoslavia]

Operator: Misener Transportation, St. Catharines, ON [Charterer]

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Omisalj – 1989-1992

Owner: Jugolinija [State-operated shipping line of Yugoslavia]

Operator: Jugolinija

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Omisalj – 1992-1997

Owner: Croatia Line

Operator: Croatia Line

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Goviken – 1997-2008

Owner: Viken Shipping

Operator: Viken Shipping

Flag: Bahamas

Home Port: Nassau, BS

Algoma Guardian – 2008-2011

Owner: Algoma Central Corp., St. Catharines, ON

Operator: Algoma Central Corp.

Flag: Bahamas

Home Port: Nassau, BS

Algoma Guardian – 2011-Present

Owner: Algoma Central Corp., St. Catharines, ON

Operator: Algoma Central Corp.

Flag: Canada

Home Port: St. Catharines, ON

Her Story

The Omisalj was constructed in 1987 by 3 Maj Brodogradiliste d.d. Shipyard of Rijeka, Croatia, as an ocean going bulk carrier. She was constructed to maximum Seaway dimensions and was fitted with 3 large deck cranes. The Omisalj was constructed for Jugolinija, the state-operated shipping line of Yugoslavia. She entered service in 1987.

After the fall of the USSR in 1991, Jugolinija reorganized as a private firm, also changing their name to Croatia Lines in February of 1992. The fleet was repainted with royal blue hulls.

The Omisalj was the first saltie to transit the St. Lawrence Seaway system for the 1997 season on April 2. On October 7, 1997, Omisalj was sold to Viken Shipping, being renamed Goviken. She continued on ocean and Great Lakes trade routes.

The Goviken became the first saltie to load taconite at the BN No. 5 ore dock in Superior, Wisconsin, on July 11, 2006, loading ore for the Mittal Steel Mill in Algeria.

On June 20, 2008, Algoma Central Corporation purchased Goviken from Viken Shipping. Goviken was renamed Algoma Guardian. She remained dedicated on ocean trade routes until December 2009, when her large deck cranes were removed in Europe, and she was reflagged Canadian in July of 2010.

Algoma Guardian continues to be an active member of the Algoma Central fleet, serving the ore and grain trades.

Compiled By Brendan Falkowski

Updated on September 17, 2020