Thunder Bay Port Authority, March 31, 2016

MV Federal Barents has earned the port's "Top Hat" by opening the 2016 navigation season for foreign-flagged ocean-going vessels, commonly referred to as salties. The saltie navigation season has opened ten days earlier than average. MV Federal Barents berthed at Richardson's main elevator this morning to become only the second foreign-flagged vessel ever to cross through the port's breakwall earlier than April 1.

MV Federal Barents is taking on a load of lentils for direct export to the Port ofMersin, Turkey. The Fednav vessel, registered in the Marshall Islands, is currently chartered by Tiryaki Agro, the biggest organic products producer and exporter in Turkey.

The agent for the vessel is Lake Superior Shipping Ltd., ocean ship agents in Thunder Bay since 1959.

Master Captain Karl Fernandes and Chief Engineer Rajesh Kataria will be welcomed to the city in a Top Hat Ceremony Friday, April 1 at 11 :00 a.m. Media are encouraged to attend and may meet at the Thunder Bay Port Authority office at 10:30a.m. to convoy as a group to the elevator.

For further information contact:

THUNDER BAY PORT AUTHORITY
Guy Jarvis, P. Eng.
Director of Engineering and Harbour Master
T. (807) 346-73 89
F. (807) 345-9058