The Ultimate Freighter Faceoff Returns
It’s time once again for the most exciting Great Lakes showdown of the season—Freighter Frenzy 2025! This March, our social media followers will decide which mighty laker sails to victory in a bracket-style tournament celebrating the biggest, boldest, and best freighters on the lakes.
From the Queen of the Lakes to the workhorses of the water, these vessels have hauled iron ore, coal, and grain through the Soo Locks for decades. But now, they’re battling for fan-favorite supremacy—and YOU get to choose the winner.
The lineup includes legendary contenders and past champions like the Wilfred Sykes and the Arthur M. Anderson, along with up-and-coming underdogs looking to make waves.
Will we see a first-time champion? A Cinderella story? A fierce rivalry renewed? Anything can happen on the water.
Follow the action. Vote. Cheer for your favorite freighter. Talk smack (respectfully, of course). Share your bracket on your favorite social platforms with #FreighterFrenzy. It’s all part of the fun!
Join us for Freighter Frenzy 2025—where the real Great Lakes Madness happens!
Voting
The time has come to cast your vote to determine which freighters will advanced in the 2025 Freighter Frenzy! Vote wisely so your favorite ships sail on to the next round. Voting will take place until a winner is crowned. Round 1 and Round 2’s polls are open for 24 hours. Round 3, 4 and 5’s polls are open for 48 hours.
Round 3/”Elite Freight” – Day 2
Round 3/”Elite Freight” – Day 1
Round 1 and 2 Results
Champions of the Great Lakes
So far, three freighters have earned the coveted crown of “Champion of the Great Lakes.” The Wilfred Sykes, the Arthur M. Anderson, and the Edmund Fitzgerald. The Sykes has gone back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, and the Anderson has received the most total votes in the four Freighter Frenzies with 1,132 votes.
As much as Freighter Frenzy is about celebrating the history of shipping on the Great Lakes, it’s just as much about celebrating the tournament itself. This is a list of the 10 most voted for freighters since the competition began in 2020.
- Arthur M. Anderson – 1,132 votes
- Edmund Fitzgerald – 813 votes
- Paul R. Tregurtha – 768 votes
- Wilfred Sykes – 642 votes
- Alpena – 546 votes
- Lee A. Tregurtha – 540 votes
- Stewart J. Cort – 485 votes
- Edwin H. Gott – 327 votes
- Roger Blough – 316 votes
- American Century – 298 votes
Want to see more freighters make the tournament? Our dream is having a 64-freighter tournament one day. Be sure to send us pics of your favorite freighters to use in the tournament by submitting here or hash tagging #FreighterFrenzy on social media.
