CLIPPER LEGACY Departs; PINEGLEN, Two More Biodiesel Tankers Due

Loading of biodiesel aboard CLIPPER LEGACY finished this morning at around 0100, when Lakeshore Towing removed the oil boom from around the vessel at the Mountfort Terminal. The LEGACY, fully laden with biodiesel produced by Lake Erie Biofuels, departed at around 0600 this morning bound for Montreal, and eventually, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The next biodiesel tanker expected is the SONGA PEARL, expected around the 6th of August. After that, the CLIPPER KATJA is due sometime between the 18th and 20th of August.

The PINEGLEN, at this time, is at anchor off of Erie awaiting clearance from Erie Shipbuilding to proceed into drydock. The vessel should be in Erie sometime later this afternoon for repairs. The PINEGLEN, owned by Canada Steamship Lines, is the first CSL vessel to visit Erie since the LOUIS R. DESMARAIS wintered here during the winter of 1997-1998, and is the first CSL vessel to use the drydock since the DESMARAIS did the previous winter.

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CLIPPER LEGACY underway in Lake Erie approaching Erie on Saturday.


Bow-on view.


LEGACY in the channel.


Stern view.


Starting to turn.


Turning in Presque Isle Bay.


Tug FLATTOP stands by as CLIPPER LEGACY turns.


LEGACY approaches the Mountfort Terminal.


Docking.

LEGACY LOADING CONTINUES; PINEGLEN EXPECTED FOR ERIE SHIPBUILDING

Loading continues on CLIPPER LEGACY this evening and the vessel should be finished at around 0100, when the oil boom is scheduled to be removed. The vessel will depart a short time later bound for Rotterdam.

Meanwhile, Canada Steamship Lines' PINEGLEN is scheduled to arrive in Erie late tomorrow afternoon and will be going into drydock at Erie Shipbuilding for unspecified repairs.

CLIPPER LEGACY ARRIVES

CLIPPER LEGACY arrived off of Erie at 1000 this morning and proceeded inbound, turning in the harbor and docking at the Mountfort Terminal by 1130. The LEGACY is scheduled to load around 5,000 tons of biodiesel manufactured by Lake Erie Biofuels, bound for Europe.

After docking at the Mountfort Terminal, Lakeshore Towing's tug FLATTOP made quick work of deploying the oil-containment boom around the vessel and loading of biodiesel from rail cars began early this afternoon. The CLIPPER LEGACY should be in port until late tomorrow or early Monday loading.

Photos of today's activity will follow tomorrow.

Next Biodiesel Tankers Due

The next biodiesel tanker will not be CLIPPER LEANDER; rather, its fleetmate CLIPPER LEGACY is expected to be alongside in Erie at the Mountfort Terminal tomorrow at 1400.

After that, the SONGA PEARL is expected in port to load biodiesel on either August 5 or August 6.