Around the Port

Tour-A-Rama
"Reinventing a Dynamic Economy - Up North" was the focus of the annual Minnesota Agri-Growth Council's Summer Tour-A-Rama hosted by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority in August. More than 130 people participated in the program, which featured presentations on economic change and development by the Port Authority, Team Duluth, Iron Mining Association of Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute and Minnesota Iron and Steel. Port Authority Chairman Thomas E. Grosser (left) spoke with Richard Mathiowetz, Mathiowetz Construction Co., Sleepy Eye, Minn., during a tour of Glensheen, a historical mansion.

Columbus Day
Port of Duluth-Superior citizens gave the German cruise vessel Columbus a warm welcome as she made her fourth visit here on September 7. Passengers and crew were treated to a rousing greeting by the Proctor Community Band under the direction of Bruce Rapp. City Councilor Ken Hogg (left) and Duluth Mayor Gary Doty also joined in the welcoming celebration for Capt. Thilo Natke (center). He and Cruise Director Werner Franke made their inaugural trip to this Port, and, said Capt. Natke, "hope to call at Duluth many more times in the future." The Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau arranged shore tours for the passengers during the day. The vessel departed at midnight.

Polish newcomer
The Polish bulk carrier Isa drew a crowd as she arrived for the first time in August at the Port of Duluth-Superior. She is the first of five new Polish Steamship Co., Szczecin, vessels built specifically for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway trade. Since her delivery from a Japanese shipyard in April, two sister ships have also been completed - the Isolda in June and the Isadora in August. Her fourth and fifth sister vessels are scheduled to enter service by January. When the Isa arrived at Duluth's AGP Grain, Ltd., to load 22,000 tons of spring wheat and feed peas for Barcelona, Spain, a welcoming ceremony was held for Capt. Edward Bobrowski (right) and his Polish crew. The Isa is represented in North America by Polsteam USA, New York City. Local agent for the vessel was Guthrie-Hubner, Inc., the stevedoring contractor was Ceres, Inc., and the grain shipper was AGP Grain, Ltd. Photo by Lynnette Steen

Breakfast in the Capitol
A congressional breakfast in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force (GLMTF), Toledo, Ohio, generated a discussion among (from left) Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.); Michael J. Siragusa, manager marine sales, Oglebay Norton Marine Services Company, Cleveland; Fred L. Shusterich, president, Midwest Energy Resources Co., Superior; Duluth Port Director Davis Helberg. The GLMTF is dedicated to promoting domestic and international waterborne commerce via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. It represents both labor and management from port authorities, ship operators, shipboard unions, longshoremen's locals and shipyards. Photo courtesy of Lake Carriers' Association

Just add water
Cutler-Magner Company received its first delivery of evaporated salt from the Netherlands via the oceangoing vessel Dintelborg in August. The Dutch-flag Dintelborg is among several new ships recently ordered by Wagenborg Shipping, Delfzijl, Netherlands. Said Hans Suurmeijer, director of design and engineering of Bodewes Scheepswerf "Volharding" Foxhol, BV, Netherlands: "She is the first of four d-vessels, and September also marked the launching of the fifth of our v-series - Voorneborg, which will be followed by the Vaasaborg, the Malte Rambow and the Vancouverborg, which will complete the series thus far." The Port had been visited earlier in the year by the first four in the v-series, the Vechtborg, the Munteborg, the Markborg and the Egbert Wagenborg.

Change of the Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office held a Change of Command ceremony in July. Commander William J. Diehl (right) relieved Captain Alan H. Moore Sr., who had served as commanding officer of Marine Safety Office Duluth/ Captain of the Port since July 1996. Cdr. Diehl reported from Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, Detroit, where he served as executive officer. Capt. Moore was assigned to Coast Guard headquarters, Washington, D.C., to serve on the quality assurance staff for the Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Office.

Quest for education
Sixth-graders from the area learned about maritime commerce at the Port Authority's annual River Quest program over the summer. Ten learning stations on the harbor excursion vessel Vista Star gave the students hands-on experiences about the river, harbor and community interrelationships. More than 800 students participated in the annual three-day educational program lead-sponsored by the Port Authority. Students were also given lessons in water quality, soil conservation, pollution control, harbor maintenance, boating safety, fish habitat and sewage treatment.