Algoma Equinox

Algoma Equinox was constructed to a new design of lake freighters that operate on the Great Lakes by the design firm Delta Marine.{{cite web |url=https://www.canadianmanufacturing.com/technology/canadas-greenest-bulk-freighter-ready-to-cruise-the-great-lakes-129917/ |title=Canada's greenest bulk freighter ready to cruise the Great Lakes |website=canadianmanufacturing.com |last=Ilika |first=Dan |date=20 January 2014 |access-date=7 January 2018 }} Algoma Central asserted that new design and new technology would make the new vessels 45 percent more energy efficient than their earlier vessels. Algoma Equinox is a "gearless bulker" meaning she has to use shore facilities to load and unload.{{cite news |url=http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/71970/algoma-first-equinox-class-vessel-launched-canada/ |title=Algoma: First Equinox Class Vessel Launched (Canada) |work=World Maritime News |first=Betty |last=Nguyen |date=25 December 2012 |access-date=19 August 2016 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020045959/http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/71970/algoma-first-equinox-class-vessel-launched-canada/ |quote=This Equinox Class series will include eight vessels consisting of four gearless bulk carriers (requiring shore-side equipment for cargo discharge) and four self-unloading bulk carriers. Algoma will own six of the series, consisting of two gearless bulkers and four self-unloading vessels.}} Two of the new gearless vessels will be owned by the Canadian Wheat Board, but operated by Algoma Central, on the Board's behalf.{{cite news |url=http://www.marinelink.com/news/shipping-invests-algoma337674.aspx |title=Algoma Invests in Great Lakes Shipping |work=Marine Link |date= 23 March 2011 |access-date=22 June 2013 |archive-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011020749/http://www.marinelink.com/news/shipping-invests-algoma337674.aspx |quote=Equinox Class ships are the next generation of bulk carriers on the Great Lakes. They will be able to carry significantly more cargo and move faster than conventional vessels. Newer engine technology will result in reduced fuel consumption, which means lower fuel costs and lower emissions.}}

Algoma Equinox is {{convert|225.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long overall with a beam of {{convert|23.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. The vessel has a gross tonnage (GT) of 23,895 and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 39,400.{{csr|register=MSI|id=9613927|shipname=Algoma Equinox|accessdate=7 January 2018}} Each crew member has an individual cabin, with an en-suite washroom, broadband internet, and satellite TV connections.{{cite news |url=http://www.algonet.com/Business-Units/Domestic-Shipping/Fleet-Renewal/Equinox-Class/Tour-the-Equinox-Class/ |title=Tour the Equinox Class |publisher=Algoma Central |archive-date=6 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106222034/http://www.algonet.com/Business-Units/Domestic-Shipping/Fleet-Renewal/Equinox-Class/Tour-the-Equinox-Class/ |quote=Individual cabins include modular washroom facilities for ease of use and cleaning plus each cabin is fitted with broadband internet and satellite TV.}} The vessel can operate with a minimum of 18 crew.{{cite web |url=https://www.sooeveningnews.com/story/news/2020/09/22/algoma-equinox/42813919/ |title=The Algoma Equinox |work=The Sault News |last=Worsham |first=Taylor |date=22 September 2020 |access-date=30 April 2021 }}

The vessel was ordered as part of Algoma Central's plan to renew their Great Lakes shipping fleet. The ship's keel was laid down on 21 April 2012 by Nantong Mingde Heavy Industries at their shipyard in Tongzhou, China. Algoma Equinox was launched on 24 December later that year and completed on 25 September 2013. The ship then crossed the Pacific Ocean and passed through the Panama Canal arriving at Port-Cartier, Quebec, in November 2013. The vessel made its maiden voyage through the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway in December 2013.{{cite news |url=http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/12/06/algomas-500m-ships-investment-starts-sailing |title=Algoma's $400M Equinox investment starts sailing |work=St. Catharines Standard |last=Fraser |first=Don |date=6 December 2013 |access-date=7 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219141812/http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2013/12/06/algomas-500m-ships-investment-starts-sailing |archive-date=19 December 2017 |url-status=dead}} Algoma Equinox primarily transports iron ore and grain in the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway.

Captain Ross Armstrong of Algoma Equinox received the Top Hat as the first ship through the Welland Canal for 2014 at the Welland Canals Centre at Lock 3 in St. Catharines, Ontario, on 28 March 2014. Due to ice conditions on Lake Erie, she was unable to complete the journey into the lake that day.{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalonews.com/business/lingering-lake-ice-hinders-welland-canal-traffic-20140328 |title=Lingering lake ice hinders Welland Canal traffic |date=28 March 2014 |access-date=30 March 2014 |first=Matt |last=Glynn |work=Buffalo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307214817/http://www.buffalonews.com/business/lingering-lake-ice-hinders-welland-canal-traffic-20140328 |archive-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=live}} Algoma Equinox was featured on Season 8 Episode 4 of the Discovery Channel's program Mighty Ships.{{cite press release |url=http://www.bellmedia.ca/pr/press/anchors-aweigh-discoverys-canadian-produced-mega-hit-mighty-ships-sets-sail-for-season-8-july-19/ |title=Anchors Aweigh! Discovery's Canadian-Produced Mega Hit MIGHTY SHIPS Sets Sail for Season 8, July 19 |publisher=Bell Media |date=29 June 2015 |access-date=7 January 2018}}

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• [http://www.boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/AlgomaEquinox.htm Algoma Equinox page at boatnerd.com]

Category:Great Lakes freighters

Category:Algoma Central Marine