IMMEDIATE RELEASE        June 28 , 2002

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.-The Port of Duluth-Superior handled five percent less waterborne commerce through May than during the same period in 2001, a slight improvement from the eight percent deficit realized in early season commerce.

Extended Tonnage Figures
Year-to-date cargo totaled 7.8 million metric tons compared with 8.2 million tons in 2001. Total cargo trailed the five-year average of 8.4 million tons by six percent.

The Port's top two cargoes of coal and iron ore each experienced four percent declines from the previous season, not quite as negative as the 16 percent decline reported by The Lake Carriers' Association for all U.S.-flag carriage of iron ore in May. The LCA report showed coal on U.S. bottoms holding even for the season, with shipments of western coal down by nearly 12 percent.

Port officials said, however, that iron ore is expected to make a modest recovery as the North American Steel industry continues to rebound from its recent slump, while western coal shipments by the end of the season are still expected to exceed last year's levels.

Bulk grain, historically the Port's third-leading commodity, experienced a 21 percent decline. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's May supply and demand outlook predicted the lowest level of U.S. wheat exports since the 1970s due to smaller U.S. crop, the strong U.S. dollar, shrinking global imports and intense competition.

Total international cargoes of 2.9 million tons surpassed 2001's 2.1 million tons by 43 percent. Domestic trade of 4.9 million tons represented a 21 percent decrease from last year's figure of 6.2 million tons.

The Port's three principal cargoes of coal, iron ore and grain combined equaled 93 percent of total commerce-coal with 3.5 million tons (44 percent), iron ore running a close second at 3.3 million tons (42 percent), and grain rounding up the top three with 575,633 tons (seven percent).

Vessel calls through May reached 226, a decrease of 10 less from last year's total of 236. Making up that total were 125 U.S.-flag, 77 Canadian-flag and 24 overseas vessels.

CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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

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