GLIN==> June Tonnage Report - Port of Duluth-Superior

July 21, 2009



IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Recession takes Toll on Twin Ports Tonnage 


 


Duluth, Minnesota, USA - June tonnage numbers are in and the report is
less than favorable. The steel industry remains hardest hit by the
global economic recession, evidenced in iron ore shipments off 61
percent through the Port of Duluth-Superior this season. These figures
mirror a similar drop across the Great Lakes (57 percent), according to
a report released last week by the Lake Carriers' Association.


          


According to Adolph Ojard, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port
Authority, we are seeing commercial activity at levels not experienced
since the mid-1930s. "Taconite shipments have slowed to a trickle. Iron
ore shipments for Minnesota/Duluth-Superior could test record lows this
year with steel plants sitting idle and two dozen lakers in layup. We've
handled just 2.6 million tons of iron ore through June compared to
nearly 6.8 million at this time last year. Hopes of a turnaround during
this navigation season may be slipping away. The real economic recovery
won't arrive until the stimulus plan finds its legs and consumer
confidence builds so folks start buying cars and appliances. More than
likely, the Great Lakes won't begin to feel the impact of any upswing
until well into 2010." 


 


There were, however, a couple of 'bright spots' in Duluth-Superior's
recent marine tonnage report. Grain shipments through June stood at
352,793 short tons, up 23 percent from record-setting lows experienced
last year. And coal shipments were off just 7 percent from last year as
Midwest Energy Resources Company's Superior Terminal continues shipping
coal at a steady pace to utilities in the Lower Lakes. In fact, MERC hit
a milestone on June 16, loading its 400 millionth ton of low-sulfur coal
since local operations began in 1976. Coal movement through
Duluth-Superior significantly outpaced overall demand across the Great
Lakes, where coal shipments were off nearly 30 percent.


 


Overall, Duluth-Superior tonnage handled during this navigation season
stood at 10,505,690 short tons through June - off 33 percent from a year
ago. A total of 243 vessels called on Duluth-Superior during the first
three months of this navigation season, compared to 402 during the same
timeframe last year; just 17 of those visits were oceangoing vessels. 


 

For more information:  Adele Yorde, Public Relations Manager or Adolph
Ojard, Executive Director at 218-727-8525 

 

                                                                  

Adele Yorde

Public Relations Manager

Duluth Seaway Port Authority

1200 Port Terminal Drive

Duluth, MN  55802-2609 U.S.A.

218-727-8525

218-390-6973 (cell)

 

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