McKeil Marine’s Evans Spirit won the International Bulk Journal’s 2016 Ship of the Year Award during the IBJ’s Salute to Excellence in the Maritime Bulk Industry gala awards ceremony in London, UK on November 21.
“It’s a fantastic way to closeout our 60th anniversary year: having a vessel named after our founder, Evans McKeil, win this prestigious international award,” said Steve Fletcher, President and CEO of McKeil Marine.
Acquired by McKeil in 2015, the Evans Spirit is a cargo ship with the shallow draught characters of a tug and barge; however, compared to a tug-and-barge unit, she can transport approximately 40 per cent more cargo about 50 per cent faster on a very similar amount of fuel. She is in service throughout the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Evans Spirit was shortlisted for 2016 Ship of the Year competing with three other vessels: CS Bright, Mitsui OSK Lines, Japan; Damen Shipyards, Netherlands; and MN Baroque, Swiss Marine, Switzerland. The award is presented to the owner, operator or builder of an outstanding individual bulk ship. Judged on operational efficiency, design innovation, safety and environmental protection, the Evans Spirit was selected as winner.
Pictured above: President & CEO Steve Fletcher and Vice President Operations Olous Boag (centre left and right respectively) accept the 2016 IBJ Ship of the Year Award from IBJ Publisher Ray Girvan (far right) during the gala ceremony at the Tower of London on November 21.
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