DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.—Nearly 30 million metric tons of waterborne commerce were handled by the Port of Duluth-Superior through October, an increase of two percent from the same period in 1996, the Seaway Port Authority of Duluth said today in its monthly tonnage recap.

Year-to-date figures for all cargo totaled 29,932,925 metric tons. This was 603,611 tons more than the 29.3 million tons reached during the same period a year ago, but slightly trailed the five-year average of 30,071,579 metric tons.

Domestic trade increased from last year by five percent to 22.3 million metric tons. International trade of 7.5 million metric tons represented a five percent decrease from last year. A contributing factor was grain shipments being somewhat hampered by rail delays.

The port’s three principal cargoes of iron ore, coal and grain equaled 89 percent of total commerce through October. Iron ore contributed 44 percent with 13.1 million metric tons. Coal shipments continued strong, contributing 35 percent with 10.5 million metric tons. Grain equaled 10 percent with 2.9 million metric tons.

Total vessel arrivals of 796 showed a decrease of 30 from the same period last year. There were 518 U.S.-flag, 182 Canadian-flag and 96 overseas vessels visiting the Port through October.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director