The freighter Sam Laud unloads road aggregate last week at the Great Lakes Materials terminal while the Badger awaits departure.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Interlake Port Services has received city approval to split its Ludington waterfront property, a move company documents state is intended to facilitate the sale of a portion of the site, although company officials say the transaction will not materially affect the SS Badger or other maritime operations based in the city.
Documents filed with the City of Ludington show Interlake requested approval to divide its property at 701 Maritime Drive into two parcels. The parcel modification application, signed by Tom Wynne, executive vice president and general counsel, lists the reason for the request as the “sale of a portion of the property.” The request was approved by city officials in June.
The application divides the approximately 13.17-acre site into two parcels measuring about 7.81 acres and 5.37 acres, according to a survey included with the filing.
The 7.81-acre parcel includes No. 2 slip, where Badger docks, and No. 2½ slip, where Spartan is moored, along with Lake Michigan Carferry’s parking lots and ticket office.
Rieth-Riley Construction operates the Great Lakes Materials terminal on Maritime Drive along the shore of Pere Marquette Lake. The terminal property is owned by Interlake Port Services and is located within the proposed 5.37-acre parcel, along with the offices and warehouse facilities used by Interlake’s Ludington operations.
After reviewing the documents, MCP asked Interlake officials about the purpose of the split and whether it was related to reports circulating in the community and among employees that portions of the property, including the aggregate dock and buildings, could be sold to Rieth-Riley.
In an initial statement, Chrissy Kadleck, director of communications and employee engagement, denied rumors that Interlake was selling its Ludington operations to Rieth-Riley.
“There is no truth to the rumor that Interlake is selling its Ludington operations to Rieth-Riley,” Kadleck said. “We remain focused and committed to our maritime operations at Lake Michigan Carferry with the SS Badger, and at Interlake Logistics Solutions with the Undaunted-Pere Marquette 41.”
Kadleck initially described the property split as an effort to recognize the company’s different business units.
MCP subsequently asked for clarification, noting that the city application specifically cites the sale of a portion of the property as the reason for the request.
In a follow-up statement, Kadleck said Interlake’s maritime operations are not involved in the proposed transaction.
“Our Ludington operations, specifically including the S.S. Badger and Undaunted-Pere Marquette 41, are not involved and will not be materially impacted by our recent request to the city for parcel modification,” Kadleck said.
“We remain focused and committed to our maritime operations in Ludington.
“When there is more to officially share with the public, we will do so.”
While the city filing confirms Interlake intends to sell a portion of the property, company officials have not publicly identified a potential buyer or disclosed what facilities may ultimately be included in a transaction.
Interlake Port Services is a subsidiary of Interlake Maritime Services, a Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based company that acquired Ludington’s maritime operations in December 2020. Interlake Maritime Services oversees Lake Michigan Carferry, operator of Badger; Interlake Logistics Solutions, which operates the articulated tug-barge Undaunted-Pere Marquette 41; and Interlake Port Services.
The company is affiliated with The Interlake Steamship Co., one of the largest U.S.-flagged fleets on the Great Lakes, operating nine self-unloading freighters.
The acquisition brought Badger, the laid-up carferry Spartan and Pere Marquette Shipping Co.’s commercial freight operations under common ownership after longtime owners Robert Manglitz and Don Clingan sold the assets to Interlake Holding Co.
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