Arnold Transit Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Ferry transportation |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founder | George Arnold |
| Headquarters | Mackinac Island , United States |
Area served | Michigan, United States |
| Products | Passenger and freight ferry services |
| Parent | Hoffman Marine (since 2024) |
Arnold Transit Company has provided ferry services to Mackinac Island in Michigan for more than 140 years. Between 2016 and 2024, the vessels and dock facilities of Arnold Line were operated under the name Star Line Ferry, which later became the Mackinac Island Ferry Company. Since 2024, Hoffman Marine, a division of the Hoffman Family of Companies, has overseen these operations.
History
Established in 1878 by George Arnold (1846–1921), Arnold Transit began with coal-powered steamboats that carried both passengers and cargo across various Michigan ports and islands. Control of the company was later passed to Otto Lang and Prentiss Brown under the supervision of Mrs. Arnold.
Following World War II, ownership by Lang and Brown led to an upgrade of the fleet with diesel-powered vessels. In 1946, Arnold Transit merged with Island Transportation Company, which expanded its service routes connecting Mackinaw City, St. Ignace, and Mackinac Island. The departure of rival Mackinac Transportation Company in 1984 allowed Arnold to strengthen its market presence. Starting in 1987, the company modernized its fleet further by introducing three catamaran-style ferries.
In 2010, the Brown family sold Union Terminal Piers, Arnold Transit’s parent company, to attorney James Wynn. Financial challenges culminated in a foreclosure by Wynn’s investment group in 2014, leading to the auctioning of two catamarans. The MV Mackinac Express was acquired by competitor Star Line Ferry, while MV Island Express was sold to Pictured Rocks Cruises and renamed MV PRX. The MV Straits Express found new use as a commuter ferry in New York City. After the foreclosure, Wynn was removed from his role as president, and control returned to the original Cincinnati-based investors.
A settlement in 2015 reinstated Arnold’s dock privileges on Mackinac Island after they had been lost due to a land transaction orchestrated by Wynn.
In November 2016, Star Line Ferry purchased most of Arnold Transit’s assets—including vessels, boatyard, docks, and branding—and incorporated them into its fleet for the 2017 season. Star Line Ferry rebranded itself as Mackinac Island Ferry Company in 2022.
Hoffman Marine acquired Mackinac Island Ferry Company in September 2024 and restored operations under the Arnold Transit name.
By 2025, Arnold Transit reintroduced traditional ferry excursions to Mackinac Island during summer months using its historic vessels.
Fleet
- Classic Ferries: MV Chippewa, MV Huron, MV Ottawa, MV West Shore (previously Anna May), and MV Straits of Mackinac II
- Freight Vessels (Non-Passenger): MV Corsair, MV The Senator, and MV Mackinac Islander
- Catamaran: MV Mackinac Express
- Hydro-jet Ferries: MV La Salle, MV Radisson, MV Cadillac, MV Joliet, and MV Marquette II
Former fleet
- MV Island Express (1988–2016), renamed Pictured Rocks Express; currently operated by Pictured Rock Cruises based in Munising, Michigan
- MV Straits Express (1995–2018), presently owned by Hornblower Cruises in New York City, New York