Press Release  

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.-The Port of Duluth-Superior handled 14.6 percent more waterborne commerce through April than during the same period in 1997, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth reported today.

The year-to-date cargo total was 4,376,919 metric tons compared with 3,819,752 tons in 1997-when spring flooding in the Red River Valley disrupted some of the port's inbound rail and truck traffic. Total cargo exceeded the five-year average of 3.7 million metric tons by 17 percent.

Strong international exports of coal and grain boosted international trade nearly 130 percent above last year's levels. Total international trade of 1.4 million metric tons showed a sharp increase over the 607,254 tons reached during the same period in 1997. Domestic trade of nearly three million metric tons represented a 7.2 percent decrease from the 3.2 million tons reached last year.

The ports three principal cargoes of iron ore, coal and grain equaled 95.8 percent of total commerce. Iron ore contributed 45.3 percent with nearly two million metric tons. Coal ran a close second, contributing 42.3 percent with 1.9 million tons. Grain shipments of 357,112 tons equaled 8.2 percent.

Vessel calls through April totaled 129 compared with 94 in 1997.

Coal is expected to set a new benchmark in volume for the fifth consecutive year in 1998. That combined with continued strength in the North American steel industry should bring the volume of 1998 port commerce above last year's level.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director
 Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, 218-727-8525