The 2018 Duluth Shipping Season Is Underway

The first ship of the 2018 season left the Duluth Harbor around noon Tuesday, on a very cold first day of spring.  The video above captures the Clyde S. VanEnkevort leaving from Clure Public Marine Terminal.

According to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, there six vessels expected to depart this week, signaling a strong start to the 2018 commercial shipping season for the Port of Duluth-Superior and the entire region.  All ships will be loaded with ore and will head for delivery to steel mills on the Lower Great Lakes.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority also expects two 1,000-footers to load iron ore pellets Thursday here in the Twin Ports. The James R. Barker will be moving from its berth at the Midwest Energy Terminal across St. Louis Bay to the CN Duluth Dock. Similarly, the Burns Harbor will make its way from Elevator M to the BNSF Railway Dock in Superior and, once loaded, will likely depart via the Superior entry sometime Friday.

Also, the Lee A. Tregurtha, scheduled to leave Fraser Shipyards next Tuesday to load ore in Two Harbors.

The Port of Duluth-Superior could begin seeing its first inbound lakers arriving March 26 or March 27, depending on ice conditions.

You can follow the link below for updates on all vessel traffic.