OGDENSBURG – The Federal Danube ocean freighter arrived at the Port of Ogdensburg Monday bringing a cargo that will help with the modernization of an historic brewery in Utica, New York.

The 656’ long vessel sailed from Germany bearing a cargo of stainless-steel fermenting and aging tanks that will be unloaded by port stevedores and later trucked to Matt Brewing Co. Inc. in Utica.

“This is a unique cargo and we are pleased to be able to help out a New York business,” Wade A. Davis, executive director of the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority, which operates the Port of Ogdensburg, said in a news release.

In regard to the delivery of the components through the Port of Ogdensburg, Nick Matt, Chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement from OBPA, said “This is great as far as we are concerned.” The brewery, which makes Saranac brand craft beers and Utica Club beer, is undergoing a significant expansion.

“We are doing a capacity expansion and brewery modernization,” Jim Kuhr, Matt Brewing brewmaster said in the news release from OBPA.

“We are very pleased with this project,” Matt said in the release. “We think it is going to do great things for us as a company.”

“This demonstrates the importance of the Port of Ogdensburg to the economy of New York State,” said John A. Rishe, director of dommercial and industrial development for the port said in the release.

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Photo by John Rishe, OBPA.

The Matt Brewing has a long history in New York State.

“We are an historic regional brewery,” said Matt. “We were founded in 1888 by my grandfather (Francis Xavier (F.X.) Matt).”

Matt said that Utica Club beer was one of their first beers to be introduced after prohibition.

“Saranac is now one of our most-significant parts of our brewery today,” Matt said. “We think these beers will be even better after this modernization and expansion.”

“The arrival of the Federal Danube and her cargo is a great example of the hard work by the OBPA's partner at the port, OMLC and the dedication and skill of our longshoremen,” said Port Chairman Vernon “Sam” Burns. “The uniqueness of this cargo speaks volumes of the potential of our port and the jobs that can be created by working together.”

“This is another excellent example of how past State and Federal investments into regional infrastructure create jobs and economic opportunities in the future", added Davis “We are delighted to welcome the MV Federal Danube to the Port of Ogdensburg and are pleased to play a part in the Utica firm's expansion.”

For more information regarding the OBPA, visit www.ogdensbport.com . For more information regarding the Matt Brewing Co. visit: www.saranac.com .