IMMEDIATE RELEASE        February 14 , 2006

Duluth, Minn., U.S.A.—Total 2005 season waterborne commerce through the Port of Duluth-Superior reached 41.7 million metric tons, a one percent increase from last season’s 41.2 million tons and the Port’s highest tonnage level reached since 1979’s 43.8 million tons.

Extended Tonnage

Strong performance in western coal shipments and increased international grain shipments boosted Port tonnage above last year’s level despite slightly reduced iron ore shipments.

Highlighting bulk cargo activity was Midwest Energy Resources Company’s record-breaking year of low-sulfur coal shipments as its Superior facility moved 18.8 million metric tons. This was nearly 13 percent above the previous season’s 16.7 million tons and the highest level reached for the facility since it began operations in 1976.

According to the Farm Service Administration, about 166,000 metric tons of wheat and beans (six transshipment laker vessel loads) were rerouted this season through the Port of Duluth-Superior from the Mississippi River due to hurricane damage along the Gulf Coast. Coupled with a strong fall wheat harvest, Port grain exports reached 2.8 million metric tons, nearly 12 percent above last season’s 2.5 million tons.

Iron ore shipments of 16.6 million metric tons reflected a decrease of seven percent from last season’s 17.9 million tons, due mainly to a third-quarter softening of the domestic steel industry. Industry experts forecast a strong production year in 2006, with worldwide demand, a weakening dollar and a stabilized economy contributing to steady production.

Total international cargos of 12.7 million metric tons surpassed last season’s 12 million tons by nearly six percent. Domestic trade of 29 million tons represented a less than one percent decrease from last year’s figure of 29.1 million tons.

Coal surpassed iron ore in 2005 as the Port’s tonnage leader, representing 45 percent of total commerce. The Port’s three principal cargoes of coal, iron ore and grain combined represented 92 percent of total commerce, with iron ore’s shipments of 16.6 million tons making up 40 percent and grain movements of 2.8 million tons contributing seven percent.

The Port continued during the 2005 season to see the development of major distribution and trans-loading activity within the pulp/paper and lumber industry, and to serve as the entry point for major project cargoes related to Canadian tar sands and Midwest wind farm developments.

The 2005 season’s first commercial vessel arrival was Interlake Steamship Company’s Lee A. Tregurtha on March 26. The Bahamian-flagged Utviken was the first full Seaway transit, arriving April 11.

The season’s last vessel to transit the Seaway was the British West Indies-flagged Federal St. Laurent on December 19. The Montreal Lake Ontario section of the St. Lawrence Seaway System saw it last vessel traffic December 29, and the Welland Canal closed December 30.

The Port’s last outbound cargo vessel of the season downbound through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., was Interlake Steamship Company’s Mesabi Miner, which left January 13. The Soo Locks officially closed to vessel traffic at midnight January 15, and will open again to spring vessel traffic March 25.

Interlake Steamship Company’s James R. Barker marked the Port’s last vessel movement of the season, arriving for winter berthing on January 17. There were 11 vessels wintering in the Port this season. Information on the 2006 First Ship Contest will soon be available on the Port Authority’s website at www.duluthport.com. The winner of the contest will receive a “Visit Duluth” weekend, including hotel accommodations, meals and passes to local attractions. The annual contest is sponsored by Visit Duluth, 92 KQRS Minneapolis and the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.

Total vessel arrivals in 2005 of 1,138 represented an increase of 49. There were 755 U.S.-flag, 253 Canadian-flag and 130 overseas vessels.

CONTACT: Lisa Marciniak, Port Promotion Manager, phone 218-727-8525

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

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