Bulk Carriers

The ordinary bulk canaller is the type which will be most seriously affected by the Seaway, as the need for this type, as such, will largely disappear. On completion of the Seaway the large Upper Lake vessel and the ocean-going vessel will be able to discharge and load at the same terminal. The canaller therefore will be no longer an essential link in the system and will have to operate in direct competition with the larger vessels.

In the interim period, before larger vessels are available in sufficient numbers, the canaller will be able to take advantage of the 16 ft 6 in. coasting draft for which most have been designed and will be able to increase its deadweight to about 3500 tons. The owners in the best position in this respect will be those whose vessels were built for a coasting draft of 18 ft.

The question of lengthening the canaller for Seaway service has been the subject of much discussion although as far as is known no definite action has as yet been taken. The question is largely one of economics and investigations will have to be made for each individual vessel.

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This paper was presented at a meeting of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and is reproduced with permission.