First 'Saltie' Of The Season Arrives In Duluth

The Ocean7 Ranger is the first ocean-going vessel to call on the Twin Ports this season.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:19pm

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The first ocean-going vessel, the Ocean7 Ranger, has arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, marking the start of the shipping season. The Dutch-built ship loaded cargo in China and Korea before navigating through the Panama Canal and the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Great Lakes via the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Why it matters

The arrival of the first 'saltie' (ocean-going vessel) of the season is an annual event that signifies the start of the shipping season in the Twin Ports region. It is closely watched by the local community and celebrated through an annual contest to guess the arrival date and time.

The details

The Ocean7 Ranger passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth at 7:32 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8th. The ship will unload a sizable shipment of project cargo at the Duluth Clure Public Marine Terminal. The annual First Ship Contest, sponsored by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Visit Duluth, was won by Sheri Dauplaise of Cloquet, who guessed the arrival date and time within 17 minutes.

  • The Ocean7 Ranger passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge at 7:32 a.m. on April 8, 2026.
  • Last year's first ocean-going ship didn't arrive until April 21st.

The players

Ocean7 Ranger

A Dutch-built ocean-going vessel that is the first to call on the Twin Ports this shipping season.

Duluth Seaway Port Authority

The organization that sponsors the annual First Ship Contest to celebrate the arrival of the first 'saltie' of the season.

Visit Duluth

A tourism organization that co-sponsors the annual First Ship Contest with the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Sheri Dauplaise

A resident of Cloquet, Minnesota, who won the annual First Ship Contest by guessing the arrival date and time of the Ocean7 Ranger within 17 minutes.

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What they’re saying

“The arrival of the first 'saltie' of the season is an annual event that signifies the start of the shipping season in the Twin Ports region.”

— Duluth Seaway Port Authority

The takeaway

The arrival of the first ocean-going vessel of the season is a highly anticipated event in the Duluth-Superior region, marking the start of the shipping season and the local community's celebration of this annual tradition.