The M/V Yorktown's first voyage to the Port of Montreal launches the international cruise season on the Great Lakes

MONTREAL, June 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - After sailing from Gloucester, Massachusetts on May 24, the M/V Yorktown called into the Port of Montreal this Tuesday. On Wednesday, the ship will start an 11-day cruise heading down the St. Lawrence Seaway and through the Great Lakes, to reach Chicago on June 16.

The Yorktown's arrival at the Port of Montreal launches the international cruise season linking the ports along the St. Lawrence to ports on the Great Lakes. Owned by New York-based Travel Dynamics International, the Yorktown can accommodate 138 passengers in 69 exterior cabins. One of this company's special features is that each of its voyages is accompanied by experts who give lectures on board and guide the cruise passengers during port visits.

Built in Florida in 1988, this 78 meter-long, 13 meter-wide ship was completely renovated in 2009. Originally baptized the Yorktown Clipper, it was renamed in 2006 the Spirit of Yorktown and took the name Yorktown in 2009. This is the first time this American-flagged ship calls into the Port of Montreal under its current name.

The Yorktown will be back in Montreal on August 30, September 3 and September 13.

You can find out more about the Yorktown and cruises on the Great Lakes at:

http://www.traveldynamicsinternational.com/default.asp
http://www.greatlakescruising.com/

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods - containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk.
A leading container port on the Atlantic, it is served by the largest container shipping lines in the world. Strategically located in North America's heartland, it provides first class access to the markets of Quebec, Ontario and the U.S. Northeast and Midwest.
The Port of Montreal handled 1,362,975 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in 2011, representing 12,471,002 tonnes of cargo.
The Port also handled 10,760,649 tonnes of liquid bulk products, 3,431,811 tonnes of dry bulk products and 1,741,035 tonnes of grain in 2011.
The MPA operates its own rail network directly on the piers. It is connected to both national railway networks and a highway network.
The MPA also operates a passenger terminal that welcomed 38,031 passengers and crew members in 2011. All the other terminals are managed by private stevedoring companies.
Port activity supports 18,200 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in economic spin-offs per year.

Image with caption: "Captain Jim Abbruzzi receives a commemorative plaque from Tony Boemi, Vice-president, Growth and Development, at the Montreal Port Authority to highlight the first voyage of the M/V Yorktown at the Port of Montreal. (CNW Group/PORT OF MONTREAL)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120605_C6205_PHOTO_EN_14752.jpg

Michèle Beaubien
Director of Communications
[email protected]
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.port-montreal.com