McCarthy Arrives to Take Last Load from Superior Midwest Energy Dock

SUPERIOR, WI – Walter J. McCarthy Jr. arrived under the Duluth Aerial Bridge Friday at 8 p.m. CST headed for the Superior Midwest Energy terminal dock (SMET) to load coal. This will be the last vessel to load at that dock, which has been decommissioned.

Midwest Energy Resources Company (MERC) built the terminal and began receiving coal in 1976. Over the past 50 years, millions of tons of coal have moved through the facility. The closure, due to declining demand for coal, will eliminate approximately 60 jobs. The Superior terminal is owned by DTE based in Michigan. DTE confirmed that a property lease expired in June and that the company did not intend to renew it.

The city of Superior and the Duluth-Superior Port Authority are looking for businesses to take over the site, according to the city.

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