First Laker of 2015 Shipping Season Leaves Twin Ports

John. G. Munson Departs, Signifying Spring is Here

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Ask many Northlanders and they’ll tell you spring is finally here, all because the 2015 shipping season is underway.

The John G. Munson departed from the Port of Duluth–Superior Monday afternoon headed for Gary, Indiana, carrying 57,000 tons of iron ore pellets to be made into steel.

“Winter ended for us the 20th of January, when in fact the Munson came in as the last laker of that season. And today just two months later, it becomes the first of the 2015 season,” said Adele Yorde, the Public Relations Manager at the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Port Authority officials hope that the weather cooperates, to boost business in the Twin Ports.

“Anytime we can move more cargo, it’s a greater economic impact for the fleets that operate the ships, for the crews that can be onboard longer and earn those paychecks, and for the rest of the industry that thrives because of having an international seaport here in The Heartland,” Yorde added.

Last year the first laker left on March 22, but got delayed nearly 3 weeks due to ice.