September 14, 1999

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.-Another coal record and a new Polish vessel helped bring year-to-date tonnage figures in the Port of Duluth-Superior to 22.3 million metric tons through August, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

International coal and grain shipments factored strongly in total waterborne commerce's four percent increase from both last year's figure and the five-year average (each at about 21.5 million tons.)

The Midwest Energy Terminal's August performance set an all-time record for coal loaded in a single month, 1.8 million metric tons, surpassing its previous record month, June 1999, by two percent. Climbing low-sulfur coal levels brought it ever closer to the Port's No. 1 commodity of iron ore.

Grain shipments through the Port continued to defy the soft world market, assisted in August by the arrival of the Isa for about 22,000 tons of spring wheat and feed peas destined for Barcelona, Spain. The bulk carrier is the first of five new Polish ships built specifically for Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Trade, a "highly encouraging development for future Great Lakes service," according to Port Director Davis Helberg.

Grain shipments through August were 37 percent ahead of levels reached during the same period a year ago. Combined with the strong coal shipments they boosted total international trade to more than six million metric tons, 15 percent above last year's 5.3 million tons.

Domestic trade of 16.2 million tons held nearly even with last year's 16.3 million tons. Domestic iron ore shipments were nearly equal (7.18 million tons compared with 7.22 million a year ago) but ore exports to Canada fell to 2.16 million tons compared with 2.42 million.

The Port's No. 1, 2 & 3 cargoes of ore, coal and grain, respectively, equaled 92 percent of total commerce-iron ore with 9.3 million tons (42 percent), coal at 8.8 million tons (40 percent), and grain rounding up the top three with 2.1 million tons (10 percent).

Vessel visits through August reflected the increased tonnage, totaling 606 through August compared with 590 in 1998. Making up that figure were 373 U.S.-flag, 145 Canadian-flag and 88 overseas vessels.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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