Press Release  

June 17, 1999

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.—The Port of Duluth-Superior handled two percent more waterborne commerce through May than during the same period in 1998 the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth reported today.

The year-to-date cargo total was 8,791,160 metric tons compared with 8,662,940 tons in 1998.  Total cargo exceeded the five-year average of 8.1 million metric tons by nine percent.

 Both international and domestic commerce exceeded last year’s levels, with international trade experiencing strong exports of coal and grain.

Coal is expected to set a tonnage record for the sixth consecutive year in 1999.  Grain exports were up despite a soft world market, but Port officials expect shipments to decline this summer.

 Total international trade of 2.5 million metric tons placed it three percent above the 2.4 million tons reached during the same period in 1998.  Domestic trade of 6.3 million metric tons represented a one percent increase from the 6.2 million tons reached last year.

Iron ore, coal and grain, the Port’s three principal cargoes, equaled 95 percent of total commerce.  Iron ore contributed 46 percent with nearly four million metric tons.  Coal contributed 41 percent with 3.6 million tons.  Grain shipments of 704,626 tons equaled eight percent.

Vessel calls held nearly even with last year’s figure with 242 vessels visiting the port through May compared with 250 in 1998.  Making up that figure were 153 U.S.-flag, 63 Canadian-flag and 26 overseas vessels.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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