Winter 98-99 The Vechtborg, the Munteborg and the Egbert Wagenborg Seaway Port Authority of Duluth, Minnesota

The Vechtborg, on her maiden voyage to North America, calls on Duluth-Superior

The Vechtborg, the Munteborg and the Egbert Wagenborg — more than just sister ships, these fall visitors to the Port of Duluth-Superior looked like triplets. First came the Vechtborg on her maiden voyage between Europe and the Great Lakes. She left with bentonite clay to Norway. Both the Wagenborg and the Munteborg were approximately three-months-young upon arrival here, the

Three Wagenborg sisters call on Port as Great Lakes’ small-ship initiative bears fruit

Wagenborg for beet pulp pellets to Spain and the Munteborg for beet pulp pellets to Ireland. These three good-looking sisters are among several new builds recently ordered by Wagenborg Shipping, Delfzijl, Netherlands. Wagenborg Shipping is just over 100 years old and more than 120 vessels strong. Most of the vessels it owns or manages are small European Coasters, but in the past two years the company has expanded its service into the Western Hemisphere as well as the Middle East and Asia. Five more 8,700-ton-range ships will be delivered to Wagenborg’s fleet in 1999-2000 by Shipyard Bodewes "Volharding".

The 434-foot Vechtborg (top), the 441-foot Egbert Wagenborg (just above) and the 440-foot Munteborg (below) were built by Bodewes Scheepswerf "Volharding" Foxhol B.V. and associated yards of the Conoship Group, Netherlands. Their home port is Delfzijl, Netherlands, and they are operated by Wagenborg Shipping B.V., of Delfzijl.

"These versatile multipurpose container carriers feature two box-shaped cargo holds optimized for paper cargo and equipped with movable bulkheads which can also be used as tweendecks suitable for fork lift trucks," said Hans Suurmeijer, director of design and engineering of Bodewes Scheepswerf "Volharding" Foxhol BV, Nether-lands (builder of the new vessels).

They are designed in close cooperation with the owner for the carriage of containers, general cargoes, timber, paper and bulk cargoes such as coal, grain, steel coils, steel pipes, large structures and dangerous cargoes. Crews for the vessels

Port Director Davis Helberg (right) presented Capt. Joan van Kol of the Vechtborg a plaque commemorating the vessel’s maiden voyage. Port Commissioners Sharon Clark (left) and Helena Jackson helped welcome Capt. van Kol to the Port.

number eight to 11, and the vessels employ the latest technology in sonar, radar and computer controls. The visits of Wagenborg vessels are partly attributable to the "small ship initiative" promotional and marketing work being done by Great Lakes ports and St. Lawrence Seaway officials.

According to David Sanders, deputy U.S. Seaway administrator, Wagenborg saved a significant amount of money by incorporating Seaway requirements into its new building plans for these vessels.

"Continual pavement-pounding and door-knocking in European wagenborg4.jpg (17718 bytes) shipping centers is starting to pay off in the form of newbuilds arrivals, which is vital to the continued health of the St. Lawrence Seaway," said Mr. Sanders.

The Port of Duluth-Superior hopes to welcome many more Wagenborg vessel family members in the future, and will continue working with Seaway and Great Lakes officials to draw other ships to the Port.