On 22 August, the Canadian-flagged vessel M/V Tamarack, the first newly built cement carrier in two decades to enter service on the Great Lakes, called at the Port of Montreal, thus completing her maiden transatlantic voyage and proceeding to load her maiden cement cargo, writes Bruno Cianci.
Owned by Eureka Shipping, this 12,500dwt vessel had been delivered in July by Holland Shipyard in Hardinxveld-Giessendam in the Netherlands, during a ceremony attended by more than 150 invitees. Eureka Shipping – a joint venture between Canadian Steamship Lines (CSL) Group and Cyprus-based SMT Shipping – was established in 2008, with CSL Group joining as a shareholder a decade later. Eureka, headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, owns and operates a fleet of cement carriers and barges ranging from 3,726dwt (M/V Envik) to 22,530dwt (M/V Winterset), with an average close to 7,000dwt per vessel.
Although designed on a compact platform, this 123m vessel was commissioned to replace two older ships with a more streamlined, high-performance design that retains the same cargo capacity while significantly reducing the enviromental footprint thanks to energy-saving handling systems.
The commissioning of Tamarack is likely to transform activities in the Great Lakes region. The vessel features four dedicated cement cargo holds with a total capacity of 10,856m³, all supported by high-efficiency loading and discharging systems. Tamarack is fitted with diesel-electric propulsion, featuring four generator sets, two 360° rudder propellers (which also perform as thrusters while docking) and a powerful bow thruster for optimal manoeuvrability. The vessel is also equipped to run on HVO, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions.
Furthermore, Tamarack is prepared for shore power connectivity, enabling zero-emission operations in ports. The environmental goal is further enhanced by the wide use of LED lighting, which consumes less electricity than traditional lighting systems, as well as heat recovery on the generator sets for the HVAC, plus other energy-saving technical measures.
When asked what Tamarack represents, Marco Hoogendoorn, director of all Holland Shipyards Group locations and product companies, replies: “This vessel demonstrates what collaboration can achieve. Together with Eureka and SMT, we’ve delivered a robust and efficient ship, tailored to her task. Tamarack is a sophisticated diesel-electric design with two L-drives: it has no main batteries and runs solely on generators. The diesel-electric propulsion system, powered by four Caterpillar generators always allows for the most optimal power setting, either in transit, when manoeuvring, berthed or during loading/unloading operations.”
Tamarack, which is handled by a crew of 15, has a range of 3,600nm and can spend up to 15 days at sea, and has a service speed of 10 knots.
For the full in-depth article, including all technical particulars and a general arrangement, don’t miss the September 2025 issue of The Naval Architect
