Duluth-Superior Awaits First Saltie of 2015
The Port of Duluth-Superior informs it is preparing to welcome its first oceangoing ship of the 2015 commercial shipping season, the Kom, the first “saltie” to have made a full transit of the 2,342-mile Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway.
The port said it expected The Kom to sail into port beneath Duluth’s Aerial Bridge shortly after noon today then proceed to the Superior side of the harbor to load at two terminals – Gavilon Grain and CHS. Built in 1997, the 465-foot bulk carrier which flies the flag of Malta, began this voyage in LaCoruna, Spain. Here in the Twin Ports, the Kom will load a total of 12,100 metric tons of durum wheat, then depart for Italy, where the weat will be milled into flour for pasta-making.
The Kom is under the command of Captain Mariyan Yotov. Local vessel agent is Guthrie Hubner; stevedoring is being handled by Ceres Terminals; tug assists are being provided by Great Lakes Towing Co.
“The arrival of the first saltie each year is a tangible reminder for residents and tourists alike that the Port of Duluth-Superior is an international seaport,” said Vanta Coda, Port Authority executive director. “Situated over 2,300 miles inland, it anchors the westernmost edge of this nation’s fourth seacoast – the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway – which links the heartland of North America to markets in Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. This binational waterway enables farmers from the Upper Midwest – as well as shippers of project cargo, iron ore and coal – to compete in the global marketplace.”
