IMMEDIATE RELEASE        September 11, 2002
Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.—Record iron ore and coal shipments through two Superior docks helped boost year-to-date commerce in the Port of Duluth-Superior above last year’s level, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

Extended Tonnage

All cargo through July totaled 17.7 million metric tons, five percent ahead of both last year’s figure and the matching five-year average, each at 16.9 million tons.

Superior’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) taconite facility recorded its third-best month ever in July, handling 1,617,370 metric tons of iron ore. Duluth-Superior’s total iron ore shipments through July of 7.9 million tons represented an 18 percent increase from last year’s 6.9 million tons.

The Midwest Energy Resources Company terminal in Superior broke a Great Lakes all-time monthly coal-handing record by moving 2,311,665 metric tons in July. Coal shipped via the facility through July reached 7.4 million tons, holding nearly even with last year’s level.

BNSF’s monthly iron ore total was within a 1,000-foot laker-load of breaking the dock record of 1,673,032 tons set in September 1991. Second was 1,667,952 tons in June 1989.

The previous Great Lakes record for most coal in one month was held by the Chesapeake & Ohio dock in Toledo with 2,239,495 metric tons in October 1946.

Shipments of grain, the Port’s third leading cargo, reached 941,859 tons, a 15 percent drop from last year’s 1.1 million tons.
The Port’s three principal cargos of iron ore, coal and grain combined equaled 92 percent of total commerce—iron ore with 45 percent, coal with 42 percent and grain with five percent.

Total international cargoes of 6.1 million tons surpassed 2001’s five million tons by 21 percent. Domestic trade of 11.6 million tons represented a two percent decrease from last year’s figure of 11.9 million tons.

Vessel calls through July reached 506, an increase of 39 from last year’s total of 467. Making up that total were 306 U.S.-flag, 151 Canadian-flag and 49 overseas vessels.

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CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, 218-727-8525

CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, 218-727-8525

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