(WXYZ) — Work is continuing in Wisconsin on the first ship to be built on the Great Lakes in more than 35 years.
The Interlake Steamship Company posted photos last week of the engineering happening on the M/V Mark W. Barker, a self-unloading bulk carrier. It's believed to be the first ship for U.S. Great Lakes service built on the Great Lakes since 1983.
Measuring 639 feet long, the ship is being constructed in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. It will transport raw materials to support manufacturing through the Great Lakes region.
“When we approached a historic project of this magnitude – building our company’s first ship since 1981 – we knew it was critical to choose the right partners. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is the shipyard that has the experience and skill to execute on our long-term vision,” Interlake President Mark W. Barker said at the time the ship was announced.
In the latest post on social media, the photos showed the work being done on the hull structure, accommodation house structure and engine control room. Construction is on schedule.
As of mid-October, there have been nearly 4,100 short tons of steel fabricated and 1,700 short tons erected in the grav dock.
Major equipment including port & starboard main engines, reduction gear and shaft generators will arrive soon to the shipyard if they haven't already.
The ship is expected to sail in the spring of 2022.
