Fednav ‘green’ ship calls Cleveland

   Fednav Group’s ship, Federal Satsuki, is discharging cargo at Federal Marine Terminals in Cleveland this week, one of a series of new “green” vessels being built by the Montreal-based company by the Oshima shipyard in Japan.
   The ship will discharge steel for the coal mining, automotive, and cosmetic industries and machinery for the food industry on its first voyage to the United States. After unloading its cargo in Cleveland, the vessel will load grain in Toledo for export to Northern Europe.
   Privately owned Fednav Group is the largest ocean-going user of the St. Lawrence Seaway, with an average of 100 voyages each year. It is also the parent company of Federal Marine Terminals.
   Paul Pathy, president and co-chief executive officer of Fednav Group, said “we are increasing the capacity of our fleet in the Great Lakes because we believe that there are opportunities in the region, and we are very positive about the long-term significance of the St. Lawrence Seaway. It remains the most economical and environmentally friendly way to move bulk cargo to and from the North American heartland.”
   The company said Federal Satsuki is 12 percent more fuel efficient than Fednav’s previous class of ships and is equipped with Tier II engines, which
reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions that contribute to acid rain formation and global warming.
   The design incorporates more powerful ballast pumps and enough space to enable the installation of ballast water treatment equipment. This equipment, which will be installed once the U.S. Coast Guard sets the type approval of equipment for the cold fresh water of the Great Lakes, will further eliminate the risk of introducing invasive species. – Chris Dupin