I am always interested in learning about unique ships, especially ships with unique propulsion systems. The E.M. Ford struck me as one of the most unique historic American ships (although the vessel became Canadian flagged before she retired).

The E.M. Ford is a Great Lakes ship, or a “Laker.” Built in 1898, it was a true workhouse, carrying coal, cement, and perhaps a few other cargos across the Lakes on countless voyages. Believed to be one of the last remaining ships with a quadruple expansion steam engine, the E.M. Ford holds a particular importance in the history of Great Lakes Shipping. Engineering buffs recognize the rarity of a quadruple expansion steam engine.

I ran a post on the build-up of cargo ships off Asian ports earlier as the fears of a global recession grew into 2009. A reader brought an interesting article to my attention, and it seems as if the collection of cargo ships has grown even further since early 2009, and is showing no signs of changing. I find this interesting as many have speculated that we have reached bottom and are rebounding back, based primarily on the U.S. stock market and some other economic indicators. What does the continuing stagnation of shipping tell us about where we are at now?

Does the stockpile of ships off Singapore reveal something more ominous?

The NY Times posted an interesting article about the environmental risks of arctic shipping. This topic has been brewing for some time now, and although the article mentions that the arctic is a buzz with activity, it is still relatively barren of commercial shipping. Most of the present maritime activity is centered on research and oil exploration. Despite the low level of full scale commercial shipping activity, the arctic is changing, and there are certainly some very real dangers and challenges presented by the opening of a viable Northwest Passage.