
The MV Paul R. Tregurtha is a massive freighter that has been making waves on the Great Lakes since its launch in 1988. It's the longest ship ever built for Great Lakes navigation.
This behemoth measures 1,013 feet in length, making it a sight to behold for anyone lucky enough to spot it on the water. Its massive size allows it to carry over 80,000 tons of cargo.
The Tregurtha is named after Paul R. Tregurtha, a prominent figure in the shipping industry, and has become a beloved fixture on the Great Lakes.
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Ship Information
The MV Paul R. Tregurtha is a Self Discharging Bulk Carrier that was built in 1981, making it 44 years old. It's sailing under the flag of the USA.
The vessel's current position is in the port of DULUTH SUPERIOR, with coordinates 45.43386° / -83.41379°.
The estimated time of arrival is 2025-04-28 06:36 LT.
The vessel's current speed is 13.4 Knots.
Its current draught is 7.1 meters.
2012 Grounding Incident

In 2012, the MV Paul R. Tregurtha experienced a grounding incident.
The ship ran aground in the St. Marys River, which connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
The incident occurred on June 22, 2012.
The ship was traveling from Duluth to Detroit when it became stuck in the river.
Ship Details
The MV Paul R. Tregurtha is a massive ship, with a length of 1,013 feet and a beam of 105 feet. It's a behemoth of the Great Lakes.
This ship's cargo capacity is quite impressive, with a total cargo capacity of 29,000 tons.
Last Port Calls
The ship's recent port calls are a great way to understand its itinerary and schedule.
The ship arrived at DETROIT on 2025-04-25 at 22:27 and departed the next day at 01:49, spending only 3 hours in port.
The longest time the ship spent in one port was 13 hours at DULUTH SUPERIOR from 2025-04-21 to 2025-04-22.
Here's a breakdown of the ship's last port calls:
Lifetime Trip

The Paul R. Tregurtha is the largest freighter in the Great Lakes, and being a guest on this ship is a truly unique experience. It's a trip of a lifetime, according to Randy Burgett, a guest who boarded the ship in St. Clair.
Guests have access to three staterooms on the same floor as the captain, as well as a larger community room with picture windows offering a view of the ship and waterways. The community room is a great place to relax and take in the sights.
A porter is assigned to each group of guests, taking care of their needs and keeping them informed about the ship's activities. This is a nice touch, as it allows guests to focus on enjoying their trip.
Guests can expect to enjoy a variety of treats, including pastries, cookies, and smoked sausages. These goodies are brought to the guests by their porter, making it easy to indulge in a snack or two.
The Paul R. Tregurtha is a working freighter, and guests get to see firsthand what it takes to keep a vessel like this running. Randy Burgett, a guest on the ship, was amazed by the complexity of the operation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest ship ever on the Great Lakes?
The longest ship on the Great Lakes is the M/V Paul R. Tregurtha, measuring 1013.5 feet in length. This massive vessel can carry up to 68,000 gross tons of cargo.
Sources
- https://www.myshiptracking.com/vessels/paul-r-tregurtha-mmsi-366904940-imo-7729057
- https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/local/st-clair/2018/07/12/trip-lifetime-aboard-paul-r-tregurtha/778566002/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Paul_R._Tregurtha
- https://www.thealpenanews.com/news/local-news/2025/03/winter-lay-up-for-a-great-lakes-freighter/
- https://www.13abc.com/content/news/The-Great-Ship-of-the-Great-Lakes-444268393.html
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