IMMEDIATE RELEASE        July 25, 2001

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.- Higher Great Lakes water levels, continued strong coal shipments and increased iron ore shipments have boosted the Port of Duluth-Superior's maritime commerce ahead of last year, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority reported today.

All cargo through June totaled 12.7 million metric tons, five percent above last year's 12.1 million tons and four percent ahead of the five-year average of 12.2 million tons.

Extended Tonnage

Above average spring rainfall in all of the Great Lakes basins increased the level in Lake Superior enough to allow vessels to depart Duluth-Superior with as much as 13 additional inches of draft compared with the beginning of the season.

Each inch of draft means about 270 tons of cargo for the largest domestic lakers and about 100 tons for typical Seaway vessels. Lake Superior in late June was about five inches above chart datum but six inches below the long-term average, with Lakes Michigan-Huron still 20 inches below average.

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. The clean-burning, low-sulfur coal shipped via the Port's Midwest Energy Resources terminal through June reached 5.4 million tons (six percent above last year's level.)

Total iron ore shipments through June of 5.2 million metric tons were four percent ahead of levels reached during the same period a year ago. Shipments of bulk grain, the Port's third leading cargo, reached 900,540 tons, a slight decrease from last year's 905,629 tons.

The Port's three principal cargoes of coal, iron ore and grain combined equaled 91 percent of total commerce-coal with 43 percent, iron ore running a close second at 41 percent, and grain rounding up the top three with seven percent.

Strong Canadian coal shipments helped bring total international trade to 3.9 million metric tons, 11 percent above the 3.6 million tons reached last year.

Increased domestic shipments of iron ore and receipts of limestone-used in making ore pellets and for agricultural and chemical processes-brought total domestic trade to 8.7 million tons, a three percent increase from last year's 8.5 million tons.

Total vessel arrivals through June of 351 showed a decrease of eight from last year. There were 219 U.S.-flag, 89 Canadian-flag and 43 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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