DULUTH, MN. – North America’s most exceptional inland shipping reach is right here in the Twin Ports, but as summer comes to an end, total shipments are down. Tonnage through the Duluth-Superior port totaled 11.4 million short tons through the end of August, which is down nearly 4 million tons compared to this time last year. Coal shipments are down 2.9 million tons, as North American energy production continues to shift away from coal-fired electricity.
Meanwhile, iron ore shipments are down around 946-thousand tons through the end of August. Port authority says a change in market trends, trade policy and transportation efficiency tactics contributed to these reductions.
The port authority hopes to see an uptick in the fourth quarter with the positive developments at Mesabi Metallics and the relined Gary Works Blast Furnace 14.
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