IMMEDIATE RELEASE             March 24, 2006

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.—The Port of Duluth-Superior’s 2006 Great Lakes commercial navigation season is scheduled to officially open early Sunday (March 26) with the arrival of Interlake Steamship Company’s Paul R.Tregurtha under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge.

The Tregurtha is scheduled to be the Port’s first inbound arrival via the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., which will open to vessel traffic at 12:01 a.m. March 25. The Tregurtha will proceed to Superior’s Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC) for about 56,250 metric tons of coal destined for St. Clair, Mich.

The 1,013.5-foot self-unloading bulk carrier was built in 1981 at American Shipbuilding Company, Lorain, Ohio. Local agent for the vessel is S.A. McLennan Company.

Local vessel traffic commenced this season with the March 14 departure of Interlake Steamship Company’s James R. Barker from its winter berth at MERC with about 56,000 metric tons of coal for the in-lake destination of Minnesota Power’s Taconite Harbor plant.

MERC had a record-breaking year of low-sulfur coal shipments during the 2005 season, moving 18.8 million metric tons. This was nearly 13 percent above the previous season’s 16.7 million tons and the highest level reached for the facility since it began operations in 1976. Total 2005 season waterborne commerce through the Port of Duluth-Superior reached 41.7 million metric tons, a one percent increase from the previous season’s 41.2 million tons and the Port’s highest tonnage level reached since 1979’s 43.8 million tons. The Port Authority is anticipating another strong shipping season in 2006.

The Port’s first 2006 oceangoing vessel will be greeted by local maritime officials with a welcoming ceremony, and will also qualify a winner for the annual “First Ship Contest” sponsored by the Port Authority, Visit Duluth and 92 KQRS Minneapolis. Prizes will include a weekend getaway to Duluth with hotel accommodations, meals and passes to local attractions. The Welland Canal section of the St. Lawrence Seaway opened to vessel traffic on March 21, and the Montreal-Lake Ontario section of the Seaway opened March 23.

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Contact: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, phone : 218-727-8525, e-mail: lmarciniak@duluthport.com

More Press Releases, 2006