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DULUTHPORT.COM | 5 PHOTOS / Paul Scinocca, Adam Bjornberg The 1983-built Liberty Clipper sails in the Duluth Harbor on July 10, 2025, as part of the 2025 Festival of Sail Duluth. The event brought nine sailing vessels and thousands of spectators to the Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas. Limestone and cement rounded out the early-season downturn, slip- ping 14.8% and 74%, respectively. It should be noted, however, that cement continued moving briskly through the Twin Ports, but with a shift to more truck transport. Notable gainers included salt (up 19%) and coal (up 2.3%). The most positive news swung from the heavy-lift cranes of the Clure Public Marine Terminal, which kept busy with an array of wind energy car- goes, supersacked minerals, gener- ators and gas turbines. "That type of cargo diversity is extremely important to the port," said Kevin Beardsley, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. "Duluth- Superior has been a bulk natural resources port since the Ulysses S. Grant presi- dency, but we're always working to expand the cargo mix and uncover new opportunities. Those high, wide and heavy cargoes represent one facet of that." THROUGH THE SEAWAY As the shipping season accel - erated into June, total tonnage through the St. Lawrence Seaway climbed 4% above last season's pace, reaching nearly 14 million short tons. Grain shipments drove the increase, with tonnage up almost 28% year over year. Iron ore move- ment through the Seaway, while still trailing the 2024 pace, increased steadily each month, rising from 578,000 short tons in April to 1.3 mil- lion in May and 2.1 million in June. Vessel transits totaled 1,335 through June—an increase of nine compared to 2024. The Seaway sent 13 ocean- going vessels through to Duluth-Su- perior, down two from a year ago. SAILS ON SUPERIOR Malta-flagged Koznitza loads grain at the CHS Superior terminal on June 21, 2025. She was the last vessel to call at the facility prior to CHS announcing its closure, which is scheduled for Aug. 31, 2025. Potential buyers soon reached out to CHS with inquiries, raising hopes that the facility may re-enter active service in the future.