IMMEDIATE RELEASE        August 24, 2001

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.-Another coal record helped bring year-to-date tonnage figures in the Port of Duluth-Superior ahead of last year, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

Extended Tonnage

All cargo through July totaled 16.9 million metric tons, five percent ahead of last year's 16.1 million tons and two percent above the five-year average of 16.6 million tons.

Superior's Midwest Energy Resources Co. set a Port record for coal loaded in a single month, two million metric tons, surpassing its previous record month, August 1999, by nearly 10 percent. Outbound coal handled through the facility has set annual Port records for seven consecutive years.

Strong Canadian coal shipments propelled total international trade to five million metric tons. This was a five percent increase from last year's 4.8 million tons.

Total domestic trade of 11.9 million metric tons represented a five percent increase from 11.3 million tons last year. Domestic shipments of iron ore climbed from 4.8 million to 5.4 million tons, an increase partly attributable to this year's higher lake levels and partly to the closure of an LTV Co. dock in Taconite Harbor, Minn.

Coal shipments through the Port continued as this season's maritime commerce leader, equaling 44 percent of total waterborne commerce with 7.5 million tons through July.

Iron ore shipments of 6.7 million tons to U.S. and Canadian destinations ranked second with 39 percent of total commerce.

Shipments of bulk grain, the Port's third leading cargo, contributed seven percent with 1.1 million tons. The Port's three principal cargoes combined represented 90 percent of total commerce.

There were 467 vessels visiting the Port through July, a decrease of eight from last year. Making up 2001's total were 294 U.S.-flag, 114 Canadian-flag and 59 overseas vessels.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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

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