Lafarge North America dedicated a new articulated tug-barge in June as the latest addition to its Great Lakes fleet. The Samuel de Champlain tug and Innovation barge were built and are owned by American Transport Leasing Inc., a Lafarge subsidiary. The new vessel will transport cement and cementitious materials along 17 Lafarge facilities throughout the Great Lakes, including its terminal on the Cleveland waterfront.

The articulated design represents a significant advance over conventional tugs and barges. The tug fits into a notch at the stern of the barge, where hydraulic connections allow them to dip and rise independently. The design makes the vessel more maneuverable than conventional tub-barge combinations, especially in adverse weather conditions.

The new combination forms Lafarge's second articulated tug-barge. The first, the G.L. Ostrander tug and Integrity barge, went into service in 1996. Other recent improvements in the region's distribution network include a new cement terminal in Detroit, an upgrade to its production facilities at its plant in Alpena, Mich., and added storage capacity in Columbus, Ohio.