DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.—   Total waterborne commerce in 1997 through the Port of Duluth-Superior increased nearly two percent over 1996 to a total of 37.7 million metric tons, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth said in its year-end tonnage report.

Strong performance in movements of western coal helped the Port surmount slightly reduced iron ore and grain shipments. The five-year average of 37.18 million tons was exceeded by nearly two percent, and it was the third best tonnage year of the past decade.

The highlight of bulk cargo shipments was Midwest Energy Resources Company’s fourth record-breaking year in a row of low-sulfur coal shipments. Its Superior facility moved 13.37 million metric tons, increasing coal’s historic 30 percent average of the Port’s total waterborne commerce to 36 percent. The outbound coal record reached in 1994 of 12.15 million metric tons broke records dating back more than seven decades, when all of Duluth-Superior’s coal was inbound.

Total domestic cargoes of 27.8 million metric tons surpassed 1996’s 27.01 million tons by three percent. International trade of 9.9 million tons represented a three percent decrease from last year’s figure of 10.17 million tons.

The Port’s three principal cargoes of iron ore, coal and grain represented 90 percent of total commerce. Iron ore shipments of 16.47 million metric tons contributed 44 percent. Coal equaled 36 percent with 13.37 million tons, and grain movements of 3.38 million tons contributed 10 percent.

The season’s first commercial vessel arrival was Interlake’s Charles M. Beeghly on March 27. ULS Corporation’s laker Canadian Trader was 1997’s first full Seaway transit, arriving April 13.

The season’s last vessel to transit the Seaway was the Marshall Islands-flag Lake Ontario which departed on December 20. The last domestic vessel to leave Duluth-Superior was Inland Steel Company’s Joseph L. Block, departing January 13. Interlake Steamship Company’s Paul R. Tregurtha officially closed the season January 14 with its arrival at the Port for winter berthing.

Total vessel arrivals of 1,052 showed a decrease of 20 from last year. There were 685 U.S.-flag, 233 Canadian-flag and 134 overseas vessels visiting the Port.

- 30 -

CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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