IMMEDIATE RELEASE             December 17, 2003

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.-The Port of Duluth-Superior's last ocean vessel of the season is expected to depart early Friday (December 19), while Great Lakes traffic should continue for about another month.

The Panamanian-flagged Spar Ruby is expected to complete loading about 18,500 metric tons of wheat destined for Morocco at AGP Grain Limited, Duluth, at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday (December 18). She should exit via the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge early Friday (December 19).

The Spar Ruby is expected to exit the St. Lawrence Seaway System on December 24. The Montreal-Lake Ontario and Welland Canal sections of the System are scheduled to close to traffic midnight December 26. Vessels not clearing the locks prior to midnight December 26 will be accepted only under written agreement and will be assessed operational surcharges, and all vessels must be clear of the System by midnight December 29.

Laker traffic in the Port is expected to continue into mid-January because of the fixed closing date for the Sault Ste. Marie Locks of midnight January 15.

The Spar Ruby’s departure will mark the close of the Port's 2003 St. Lawrence Seaway oceangoing vessel navigation season. The Port’s final Seaway transit last year was December 16 with the departure of the Marshall Islands-flagged Lake Ontario.

The Port’s latest Seaway departure since the System’s 1959 opening occurred December 22, 1984, with the exit of the Liberian-flagged Federal Calumet.

The 584-foot bulk carrier Spar Ruby was built in 1985 at Sasebo Heavy Industries Co., Japan. Commanded by Captain J. S. Grewal, she is operated by Fednav International, Ltd., Montreal. Local agent for the vessel is Fedmar International and the stevedore is Ceres, Inc.

AGP Grain and Fedmar International have the distinction of loading the last ocean ship for this and the past four seasons, with the Spar Ruby, Lake Ontario, Spar Garnet, Lake Champlain and the Lady Hamilton.

- 30 -

CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, Phone 218-727-8525

More Press Releases, 2003