Rand Logistics starts 2013 sailing season

Great Lakes operator Rand Logistics, Inc. (Nasdaq:RLOG) reports that its Jones Act compliant 19,600 dwt self-unloading vessel Calumet commenced 2013 sailing on March 14, 2013.

Rand, which operates both U.S.-flag and Canadian-flag vessels, expects to have completed all winter maintenance and capital expenditure work on its vessels prior to their scheduled sailing dates.

Great Lakes self-unloader Calumet

Rand performed drydocking on two vessels this past winter. Total capital and deferred drydock expenditures incurred over this past winter will approximate $12.5 million, which is consistent with the budgeted amount. Rand says that, other than modest fit-out expenses related to a couple of vessels that will not sail until early-to-mid April due to customer shipping schedules, Rand expects that the vast majority of its capitalized expenditures, deferred drydocking expenditures, and winter maintenance expenses will be incurred prior to the end of our fiscal year on March 31, 2013.

Scott Bravener, President of Lower Lakes, commented, "The substantial investments in expanding and upgrading our engineering and technical services department over the past two years have started to show results. The implementation of new processes, procedures, and more rigorous oversight has resulted in the on-budget and on-time completion of our winter maintenance, drydocking, and capital investments for our expanded fleet.

"I am pleased to report that our Canadian self-unloading vessel Cuyahoga has been selected to officially open the Welland Canal for the 2013 navigation season on March 22, 2013.

"While we continue to work with our customers to finalize their needs for the upcoming season, based on their nominations to-date, we are projecting that our total tonnage hauled will increase by up to 11 percent, versus the 2012 sailing season. The projected increase in tons hauled is due in part to an increased number of sailing days, a full year of operation of the vessel that we introduced into service in October 2012, market share gains, and modest organic growth. Achieving the volume growth is dependent on the volume of each commodity that we carry being consistent with the current nominations that we have received from customers."