GLIN==> Port of Duluth- Superior Kicks off Celebrattion for 50th Anniversary of St. Lawrence Seaway

CONTACT:  Adele Yorde, Public Relations Manager

Duluth Seaway Port Authority   (218) 727-8525

May 1, 2009        

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Port of Duluth-Superior Celebrates 50 Years of Seaway Service

Special events to honor Golden Anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway

DULUTH, Minn. USA-The arrival of the Ramon de Larrinaga beneath the
Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on May 3, 1959 heralded the start of a new era
in shipping for the Port of Duluth-Superior.  She was the first
deep-draft oceangoing vessel to arrive here, having transited the length
of the newly opened St. Lawrence Seaway. This year, the Dutch-flagged
Medemborg claimed first ship honors on April 12, marking 50 years of
Seaway service in the Twin Ports. 

This anniversary year provides a golden opportunity to celebrate the
tremendous impact the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System and the
maritime industry have had on our region. The Duluth Seaway Port
Authority is hosting a series of events throughout 2009 to celebrate the
Seaway's 50th, beginning with a binational reception for maritime
stakeholders and business leaders on Friday, May 1 at the Duluth Omnimax
Theatre.

 "The Port of Duluth-Superior became a world port when the Seaway opened
in 1959," noted Adolph Ojard, Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway
Port Authority. "Geographically, we're situated at the beginning (or
end, depending on your perspective) of the entire Great Lakes/St.
Lawrence Seaway System. This 2,342-mile marine highway connects North
America's heartland to the Atlantic, providing a key trade corridor for
business and industry. One of the most efficient transportation systems
in the world, the Great Lakes Navigation System saves customers
approximately $3.6 billion per year over the next least costly mode of
transportation." 

Since the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, it has moved more than 2.5
billion metric tons of cargo valued in excess of $375 billion. The Port
of Duluth-Superior is the number one volume port on the Great Lakes, the
second largest dry bulk port in the United States and a thriving hub for
global trade.     

 

50th Anniversary Events Planned in Twin Ports 

To celebrate the Seaway's 50th Anniversary here in the Twin Ports, the
Duluth Seaway Port Authority will be sponsoring a series of events
throughout 2009 including:

*        Through October: Sponsoring the Duluth run of Mysteries of the
Great Lakes. An exciting IMAX film at the Duluth Omnimax Theatre
celebrates the natural wonders of a binational waterway that is also a
corridor for commerce.

 

*        May 1: Seaway 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Omnimax. VIP
reception co-hosted by the Consulate General of Canada and the Port
Authority.

 

*        May 12 - 14:  Co-hosting 17th annual St. Louis River Quest with
20 local organizations. Educational cruises for sixth grade students
aboard the Vista Star to foster awareness of pollution prevention,
boating safety, maritime issues and environmental preservation. 

 

*        May 21:  National Maritime Day celebration -11 a.m. at the
DECC. Keynote speaker Craig Middlebrook, Deputy Administrator, St.
Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, will highlight the Seaway's
50th Anniversary and plans for its future.

 

*        July 4:  Daybreak arrival of the Clelia II, celebrating
Duluth's re-emergence as an origin/destination hub for Great Lakes
passenger cruising.

 

*        July 4:  Signature sponsor of the pre-fireworks concert by the
Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra at Duluth Fourth Fest. Free & open to
the public.  

 

*        Nov. 6-7: Gales of November. Co-hosting this year's event with
the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association. Keynote speakers TBA.

 

               The U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation
(SLSDC) and the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
(SLSMC) are hosting events throughout the year to celebrate the 50th
anniversary to educate the public about the Seaway, its history and
plans for its future. SLSDC's primary celebration will be July 10-12 in
Massena, NY. Meanwhile, SLSMC opened the 2009 navigation season with an
anniversary-themed celebration and will host open houses at all of its
main offices this summer. 

## 

 

Note to Media: Please join us for special events during this year and
feature the St. Lawrence Seaway/Port of Duluth-Superior prominently in
your news coverage when possible. Contact Adele Yorde, Port Authority
public relations manager, for more information, additional story ideas
or to arrange interviews (218) 727-8525.

 

 

Adele Yorde

Public Relations Manager

Duluth Seaway Port Authority

1200 Port Terminal Drive

Duluth, MN  55802-2609 U.S.A.

218-727-8525

218-390-6973 (cell)

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/glin-announce/attachments/20090501/619eb4f0/attachment.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Release_Port Celebrates Seaway's 50th Anniversary.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 141824 bytes
Desc: Release_Port Celebrates Seaway's 50th Anniversary.doc
Url : http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/glin-announce/attachments/20090501/619eb4f0/attachment.doc 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 50th Seaway Facts_DSPA.DOC
Type: application/msword
Size: 40960 bytes
Desc: 50th Seaway Facts_DSPA.DOC
Url : http://www.great-lakes.net/lists/glin-announce/attachments/20090501/619eb4f0/attachment.dot