As the Federal Biscay sailed from the Port of Duluth-Superior on Dec. 28, 2024, that shipment extended a fourth-quarter rally for agricultural commodities moving through North America's farthest-inland seaport, boosting grain tonnage toward its best total since 2020, noted a news release on Dec. 28.
According to the Port of Duluth-Superior Marine Tonnage Report released on Jan. 31, 2025, the final grain tonnage total for 2024 noted that "Buoyed by a fourth-quarter rally, waterborne grain tonnage approached 794,000 short tons, its best mark since 2021."
"Diminished iron ore shipments drove the decline, as taconite totals fell from a 28-season high in 2023 to 19.4 million tons in 2024. While still exceeding the five-season average for iron ore, this figure represents a 10.4% year-over-year decrease. Despite overall tonnage falling 4% short of the five-season average, the 2024 campaign included several successes."
The report added, "Maritime import/export tonnage finished the season nearly 15% ahead of last year's pace, driven primarily by a 31% increase in export tonnage. Spring wheat led the boost in exports, more than tripling the 2023 tonnage total."
Other typical grain cargoes from the port include durum, sugar beet pulp pellets, flax and canola.
When the last saltie, the Federal Biscay, left Duluth on Dec. 28, 2024, it traveled 2,342 miles (3,769 km) to the Atlantic Ocean and on to its destination in Algeria, loaded with durum wheat.
Fifty-eight oceangoing ships called at Duluth-Superior in 2024, an increase of eight over the previous season.
List of Duluth-Superior facilities including grain elevators: https://duluthport.com/…
Jan. 31 press release: https://duluthport.com/…
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