Interlake Steamship Co.’s Mesabi Miner scored a daily double of sorts at the end of the 2007-2008 shipping season — she was both last out and last in. The Miner left on January 17 from Superior’s Midwest Energy Resources Co. (MERC) with about 58,000 tons of coal destined for Presque Isle, Mich. She returned to Port on January 20 for winter berthing at MERC. In between her departure and arrival, no other vessels moved out or in, thus the Miner took dual honors.

Twelve ships are wintering in the Port. Notice that we said “wintering,” not just “resting.” Many of the ships will undergo significant maintenance, which in recent years has averaged about $800,000 per vessel.