DULUTH, Minn., U.S.A.—The Port of Duluth-Superior handled more than 25 million metric tons of waterborne commerce through September, two percent more than through 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 25,190,887 metric tons, 539,993 tons more than the 24.6 million tons reached during the same period a year ago. This is a three percent decrease (715,219 tons) from the five-year average of 25.9 million metric tons.

Domestic trade increased from last year by six percent to 19.2 million metric tons. International trade of 5.9 million tons showed an eight percent decrease from last year—due mainly to an 11 percent decrease in grain shipments from the same period a year ago. Grain shipments were hampered in the early season by flood-induced rail and truck delays, but will pick up now during the fall harvest.

Iron ore, coal and grain, the port’s three principal cargoes, equaled 89 percent of total commerce through September. Iron ore led with 45 percent (11.2 million metric tons), coal came in second with 35 percent (8.9 million tons) and grain contributed nine percent (2.1 million tons).

Total vessel arrivals of 663 showed an overall decrease of 25 from the same period last year. Through September there were 444 U.S.-flag, 147 Canadian-flag and 72 overseas vessels visiting the Port.

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CONTACT: Ray Skelton, Environmental & Government Affairs Director

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