Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1541207
DULUTHPORT.COM | 3 DULUTHPORT.COM | 3 PHOTOS / David Schauer, Gus Schauer, Stephanie Judd Irwin, Paul Scinocca D riven by a 35.5% year-over-year decline in exports, total tonnage through the Port of Duluth-Superior finished September 2025 at its second lowest level since 2000—17.8 million short tons. Export tonnage to Canada shrank by more than 1.4 million short tons, a 34.8% drop attributable entirely to reduced iron ore shipments. Overseas exports sank more than 41% due to lower grain and coal volumes. The port's domestic float also showed a decline, resulting primarily from a 3% drop in iron ore tonnage and a 5.5% dip in limestone receipts. Season-to-date through Sept. 30, vessel arrivals trailed the 2024 pace by 83, a downward trend that continued into late October with 14 fewer ships calling at the port between Oct. 1 and Oct. 21, 2025, compared with the same dates in 2024. Indications point to a stronger November float, with several general cargo shipments scheduled to arrive and harvest season accelerating grain exports. December shows potential for inbound project cargo to Duluth Cargo Connect, and possibly an uptick in domestic iron ore shipments to build offseason stockpiles at mills on the lower Great Lakes. Late-season shippers will benefit from the St. Lawrence Seaway once again remaining open through Jan. 5, 2026, and the Seaway Corporations waiving operational surcharges for Dec. 21-24, 2025. Together, those factors should help build on what's been a positive season so far for Seaway tonnage totals, which are tracking 1.2% ahead of the 2024 pace. D Tonnage lags on diminished exports, iron ore shipments