Shipping Season Getting Started In Duluth-Superior

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The commercial shipping season is getting underway in Duluth-Superior.

The Duluth Seaway Port Authority says the first two lake-going freighters are scheduled to depart the Twin Ports Tuesday. The Edwin H. Gott was preparing to depart from Duluth around 3:30 a.m. en route to Two Harbors for a load of iron ore. The Philip R. Clark was expected to leave for Two Harbors shortly afterward.

Both ships will then head toward Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to line up for the opening of the Soo Locks at 12:01 a.m. Friday, then head for steel mills on the lower Great Lakes.

Officials say it looks like the port will welcome its first two inbound "lakers" on Saturday, but they're not ready to predict the arrival of the first ocean-going "saltie" in Duluth-Superior.