IMMEDIATE RELEASE        September 20, 2001

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.-Strong Canadian coal shipments and increased domestic iron ore shipments helped bring year-to-date commerce in the Port of Duluth-Superior above last year's level, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

August, 2001 Extended Tonnage

All cargo through August totaled 21.5 million metric tons, 3.6 percent ahead of last year's 20.8 million tons and 2.4 percent above the five-year average of 21 million tons.

Outbound coal handled through Superior's Midwest Energy Resources Co. has set annual Port records for seven consecutive years and appears well on its way to an eighth. Canadian coal shipments through August rose to 3.16 million tons compared with last year's 1.67 million tons --- a 90 percent increase.

Historically the Port's No. 2 cargo, coal shipments eclipsed iron ore in the 2000 season and continue as the Port's maritime commerce leader to date. Coal shipped via the facility through August reached 9.3 million metric tons (nearly 10 percent above last year's level of 8.5 million tons.)

Despite the Lake Carriers' Association's report of a 20.5 percent drop in overall Great Lakes iron ore shipments through August, Duluth-Superior's domestic shipments of iron ore climbed from 6.1 to 6.8 million tons. This year's higher lake levels and the closure of an LTV Co. dock in Taconite Harbor, Minn., contributed to the 12 percent increase.

Total iron ore shipments through August of 8.5 million tons held nearly even with the same period a year ago. Iron ore shipments for the balance of the season are expected to be negatively impacted by the early lay up of USS Great Lakes Fleet's 858-foot Roger Blough and the temporary lay up of two additional 1,000-foot lake vessels-the Fleet's Edgar B. Speer and Interlake Steamship Company's Mesabi Miner.

Shipments of bulk grain, the Port's third leading cargo, reached 1.7 million tons, a 16 percent drop from last year's nearly two million tons.

The Port's three principal cargoes of coal, iron ore and grain combined equaled 90 percent of total commerce-coal with 43 percent, iron ore at 39 percent, and grain with seven percent.

Total international trade-boosted by the strong Canadian coal shipments-reached 6.7 million metric tons, 8.5 percent above the 6.1 million tons reached last year.

Increased domestic shipments of iron ore and receipts of limestone (used in making ore pellets and for agricultural chemical processes) brought total domestic trade to 14.9 million tons, a 1.5 percent increase from last year's 14.7 million tons.

Total vessel arrivals through August of 603 represented a decrease of two from last year. There were 367 U.S.-flag, 150 Canadian-flag and 86 overseas vessels visiting the Port.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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

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