NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rand Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ:RLOG), a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services throughout the Great Lakes region, today announced the appointment of Mr. Christopher J. Garwood to the position of Corporate Vice President of Procurement responsible for managing the Company's strategic sourcing and supply chain functions. Mr. Garwood will lead continuous improvement initiatives for operational excellence as it relates to procuring and supplying the Company's vessels with fuel, parts, galleys and capital goods and services.

Christopher Garwood has over 15 years of experience in the areas of strategic sourcing, procurement, and supply chain management. Prior to joining Rand Logistics, Inc., Chris was employed with Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. for seven years, where he has held positions of increasing responsibility including most recently Senior Director of Global Strategic Sourcing and Energy Procurement.  In his leadership roles with Cliffs, he oversaw enterprise wide spend management for the company's most strategic operating expenditures, purchases, and projects. His prior employment experience also includes supply chain roles with Ernst & Young LLP, Accenture Ltd., and BearingPoint Inc.

"Chris is an experienced senior procurement and supply chain executive and we are thrilled to have him as part of the Rand Logistics team," stated Mark S. Hiltwein, Chief Financial Officer at Rand Logistics Inc. "We look forward to the efficiencies and benefits he will bring to the company as part of our continuing effort to improve our return on invested capital."

Mr. Garwood holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Finance from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.

About Rand Logistics Inc.

Rand Logistics, Inc. is a leading provider of bulk freight shipping services throughout the Great Lakes region. Through its subsidiaries, the Company operates a fleet of four conventional bulk carriers and eleven self-unloading bulk carriers including three tug/barge units. The Company is the only carrier able to offer significant domestic port-to-port services in both Canada and the U.S. on the Great Lakes. The Company's vessels operate under the U.S. Jones Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to vessels that are U.S. owned, built and crewed, – and the Canada Coasting Trade Act – which reserves domestic waterborne commerce to Canadian registered and crewed vessels that operate between Canadian ports.

www.randlogisticsinc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward- looking statements. Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to, the effect of an economic downturn in certain of our markets; the weather conditions on the Great Lakes; and our ability to maintain and replace our vessels as they age.

For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please refer to Rand's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10- K filed on June 11, 2015.

CONTACT: Rand Logistics, Inc.
         Edward Levy, CEO & President
         (212) 863-9405
         Mark S. Hiltwein, CFO
         (212) 863-9427