IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.—The Port of Duluth-Superior handled six percent more waterborne commerce through November than during the same period in 1997, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth reported today.

The year-to-date cargo total was 35.2 million metric tons compared with 33.3 million tons in 1997. Total cargo exceeded the five-year average of 33.8 million tons by four percent.

The majority of Duluth-Superior’s cargo is outbound, as evidenced by 31.7 million tons of export and domestic shipments through November while only 3.5 million tons were imports or domestic receipts.

Both export and domestic shipments exceeded last year’s levels, with international exports led by strong Canadian coal and overseas grain shipments. Imports and domestic receipts, mainly limestone and cement, slightly trailed last year’s levels.

Total international and domestic commerce (outbound and inbound) both exceeded last year’s levels. International trade of 10.2 million metric tons placed it 19 percent above the 8.6 million tons reached during the same period in 1997. Domestic trade of 24.9 million tons represented a slight increase of one percent from the 24.7 million tons reached last year.

The port’s big-three cargoes are iron ore, coal and grain. Combined they equaled 90 percent of total waterborne commerce through November. Iron ore contributed 42 percent with 14.6 million tons. Coal represented 36 percent with 12.7 million tons. Grain rounded out the top three with is 4.4 million tons equaling 12 percent.

Total vessel arrivals of 999 showed an increase of 96 from last year. There were 603 U.S.-flag, 219 Canadian-flag and 177 overseas vessels visiting the Port. Total ocean vessel arrivals for the season are expected to exceed 200 for this first time since 1984.

The Cyprus-flag United, the port’s final ocean vessel of the season, departed on December 17 with 17,200 metric tons of wheat destined for Hamburg, Germany. Lake traffic in the port is expected to continue into mid-January because of the fixed closing date for the Sault Ste. Marie Locks of midnight January 15.

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Contact: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director