Port's shipping season opens

Duluth-Superior's first 2004 shipping activity within Lake Superior began on March 17 with the departure of Interlake Steamship Company's Paul R. Tregurtha [Photo A] from Superior's Midwest Energy Resources (MERC). She left with about 55,350 metric tons of coal destined for Marquette, Mich.

The Port's Great Lakes commercial navigation season commenced with the arrival of Seaway Marine Transport's Canadian Progress under the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. Port Director Adolph Ojard greeted Captain Randy Smith during a welcoming ceremony aboard the vessel [Photo B]. The Canadian Progress fueled at the Murphy Oil USA, Inc., Duluth Marine Terminal before shifting to MERC for about 27,215 metric tons of coal destined for Nanticoke, Ont.

The Lithuanian-flagged bulk carrier Kapitonas Andzejauskas was the Port's first 2004 oceangoing vessel arrival, launching the Port's St. Lawrence Seaway navigation season with an April 10 visit to Superior's CHS grain facility for about 10,150 metric tons of wheat destined for Italy [Photo C].

Port director Adolph Ojard was on hand to welcome Captain Voitko, commander of the vessel. [Photo D]. The Kapitonas And-zejauskas's arrival also qualified a winner for the annual "First Ship Contest" sponsored by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau and 92 KQRS radio, Minneapolis. This year's winner was Sandy Williams, Willmar, Minn., who guessed closest to the April 10 arrival time for the vessel. She received a weekend getaway to Duluth, including hotel accommodations, meals and passes to local attractions.