the ship was constructed by collingwood shipyards at their yard in collingwood, ontario with the yard number 189. "algorail" was launched on 13 december 1967, christened on 1 april 1968 and completed that month. the second freighter of the name was registered at sault ste. marie, ontario for algoma central. a self-unloading bulk carrier, she is one of the last lake freighters built in the traditional two-superstructure style, with the bridge at the bow. the ship sails on the north american great lakes and the saint lawrence seaway delivering coal/coke, aggregates, slag, iron ore/oxides, salt, fertilizers, grain products, gypsum, quartzite, or sand.