Port Authority Celebrates Arrival of First Saltie

It was a celebration fit for a King, or in this case a Captain. 

On Monday, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Duluth and Superior city officials welcomed the first saltie to the Northland. 

The Albanyborg, based out of the Netherlands, sailed into the Twin Ports at 7:41 Sunday night. 

The 472-foot ship heads to CHS Terminal in Superior on Tuesday to load 10,000 tons of spring wheat for Italy. 

The ship’s Captain and crew were showered with gifts as a way to mark opening day for the global market for the Seaway Port Authority. 

“It really is heartening.  I think they feel welcome and it’s our way of recognizing fleets, like the Royal Wagenborg and others that commit a certain percentage of their vessels to seaway traffic,” said Adele Yorde, the Public Relations Director for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. 

Meanwhile, Visit Duluth hosted a contest for the public to predict when the first saltie would arrive. 

A South St. Paul woman had the closest guess, with 7:30 Sunday night. 

She will win a big prize including lodging, dinner and passes to many tourist attractions in the Duluth area.