Petka

Petka – Sandviken – Algoma Spirit

1986-2021

Algoma Spirit on the St. Marys River, September 23, 2016. Photo by Roger LeLievre

Specs

Build Information

Year Built: 1986

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

Hull #634

Registry: CAN. 8000176

IMO #8504882

Laid Down: —

Launch Date: 1986

Commissioned: 1986

Construction

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

Her self-unloading equipment consists of a single hold belt leading to an aft-incline belt system to a 250′ deck-mounted boom.

Modifications

Deck cranes removed, October 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

Petka – 1987-1989

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

Operator: Jugolinija

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Petka – 1988-1989

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

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

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Petka – 1989-1992

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

Operator: Jugolinija

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Petka – 1992-2000

Owner: Croatia Line

Operator: Croatia Line

Flag: Croatia

Home Port: Dubrovnik, HR

Sandviken – 2000-2008

Owner: Viken Shipping

Operator: Viken Shipping

Flag: Bahamas

Home Port: Nassau, BS

Algoma Spirit – 2008-2011

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

Operator: Algoma Central Corp.

Flag: Bahamas

Home Port: Nassau, BS

Algoma Spirit – 2011-2021

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

Operator: Algoma Central Corp.

Flag: Canada

Home Port: St. Catharines, ON

Her Story

The Petka 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 Petka 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 1992. The fleet was repainted with royal blue hulls.

On June 12, 1995, the Petka scraped the bottom of the Welland Canal, tearing several holes in the bottom of her hull. She was repaired and later floated off of the bottom. Permanent repairs were completed at Montreal in late July.

In August of 2000, the Petka was sold to Viken Shipping, being renamed Sandviken. She continued on ocean and Great Lakes trade routes.

On April 6, 2008, Algoma Central Corporation purchased Sandviken from Viken Shipping. Sandviken was renamed Algoma Spirit. She remained dedicated on ocean trade routes until October 2009, when her large deck cranes were removed in Europe, and she was reflagged Canadian in October of 2010.

The Algoma Spirit was laid up in late 2020 in Montreal, QC, to be retired. She was sold for scrapping in the spring of 2021, and was towed out of Montreal on August 2, 2021 by the tug V. B. Hispania, bound for the scrapyard in Aliaga, Turkey.

Compiled By Brendan Falkowski

Updated on September 17, 2020