The first ‘laker’ to be built in the United States in more than 35 years has been floated out of dry dock at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The MV Mark W. Barker is a self-unloading bulk carrier under construction for Interlake Steamship Company. The vessel measures 639 feet in length and 28,000 dwt, and will be used to transport raw materials to support manufacturing throughout the Great Lakes region. Work on the vessel will continue throughout the winter, with a focus on vessel auxiliary machinery, electrical equipment, piping, and electrical wiring installations. Delivery is scheduled for mid-2022.
