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DULUTHPORT.COM | 15 ummertime is always cause for celebration i n D u l u t h - S u p e r i o r, but a Pacesetter Award announcement made it extra celebratory this year. Established in 1992 by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award recognizes United States-based ports for increased maritime tonnage compared to the previous year. Driven by overseas increases across multiple cargo categories during the 2024 shipping season, the Port of Duluth-Superior earned its 18th Pace- setter Award overall and first since 2019. "We're pleased to accept the award on behalf of all the waterfront cargo facil- ities in Duluth- Superior," said Kevin Beardsley, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. "It takes partnership, persistence and vision to sustain a thriving world port, and we're grateful for the numerous stakeholders who play a role in that effort. Awards like this are a collaborative effort." Boosted primarily by a 31% spike in export tonnage, Duluth- Superior notched a 17.4% year-over-year interna- tional tonnage increase. Grain, petcoke and breakbulk cargoes led the surge. The GLS saluted its award winners Aug. 15, during the American Great Lakes Ports Association Annual Con- ference in Chicago. United States Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on July 10 the addition of 848 miles and 14 new sponsors to the U.S. Marine Highway Program, a move with poten- tial to elevate the Great Lakes' M-90 corridor linking Duluth-Superior to New York. Seven of the new sponsors joined the M-90 corridor, including the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation, as well as Illinois, Michigan and New York DOTs, the Ports of Indiana and the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. Their backing gives the 2,345-mile route— anchored at the Port of Duluth- Superior—direct state-level support when competing for federal Marine Highway grants that help fund terminal upgrades, container services and relat- ed freight projects. "Coming from the Midwest, I've seen firsthand how maritime dominance isn't just about our oceans. Our nation's many rivers and inland ports are crucial resources to moving great American products to markets across the country and around the world," said Duffy. "Expanding the Marine Highway Program will strengthen the Great Lakes economy and other regional communities." For Duluth-Superior, the dual MnDOT-WisDOT sponsorship will help enhance federal grant applications and provide coordinated advocacy for waterborne cargo transport ini- tiatives throughout North America's farthest-inland seaport. "It is estimated that Great Lakes ship- ping provides a transportation savings rate of $3.9 billion over other modes," said Eric Peace of the Lake Carriers' Association. "U.S.-flagged thou- sand-foot vessels can transport approx- imately 70,000 tons of raw material each trip, which removes 2,800 trucks from already congested roads and 700 rail- cars from people's backyards." In addition to reducing roadway con- gestion, waterborne shipping along the M-90 corridor emits substantially less CO2 per ton-mile compared to road or rail transport, significantly reducing freight's carbon footprint. Nationally, the Marine Highway net- work now spans 27,139 miles across 35 routes. Beyond the Great Lakes, MARAD designated four new corri- dors: M-23 (Big Sandy River), M-24 (Cumberland), M-165 (Green) and M-167 (Ouachita), expanding eligibility for competitive grants in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana and Arkansas. MARAD expands U.S. Marine Highway program Great Lakes to benefit from amplified DOT advocacy S Port of Duluth-Superior earns Pacesetter Award Port plaudits