Algoma Transport departs with final cargo before scrapping

The gloomy weather Saturday was fitting for the final departure of the Algoma Transport from
Superior, WI, with 26,439 tons of ore loaded at BNSF for Hamilton, ON. Once the cargo is
delivered, she is expected to sail to Port Colborne, ON, where she will be cut up by Marine
Recycling Corp.

Owner Algoma Central Corp. announced earlier this year the Transport would be replaced by the
new Algoma Bear, now making her way toward the lakes from her builder’s yard in China
Algoma Transport was built in 1979 at Port Weller Dry Docks, St. Cathartines, ON, for Upper
Lakes Shipping Co. Ltd. at a cost of $33 million to fulfil a long-term coal contract between Upper
Lakes and Ontario Hydro. The Transport wasn’t the only ship constructed to serve that trade
route: ULS also built the Canadian Century, Canadian Enterprise, Canadian Progress and
Canadian Olympic.

On February 25, 2011, Algoma Central Corp. purchased Upper Lakes Shipping, marking the end
of an era for the historic Canadian shipping company. Two months later, Algoma announced
that the Transport would be renamed Algoma Transport.

Algoma Transport’s retirement leaves John D. Leitch as the sole survivor of the Upper Lakes
Shipping fleet in active trade.

David Schauer, Jack Hurt

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