US wind market drives project cargo growth in Duluth
PRESS RELEASE – A rise in project cargo pushed the total cargo volume in the Port of Duluth to 33.5 million tonnes in 2019. Thanks to a growing US wind industry, the handling of project cargo, breakbulk and heavy-lift pieces increased tenfold.
Wind energy cargo arrivals paced the surge, with terminal operator Duluth Cargo Connect welcoming a single-season record 306,000 freight tonnes of wind energy cargo to the Clure Public Marine Terminal in 2019.
Other bulk cargo, a category dominated by inbound salt in 2019, also posted a substantial season-over-season increase, climbing 35 per cent.
“This has been a banner year for wind energy cargo, the Clure Public Marine Terminal and Duluth Cargo Connect”, said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. The port authority has invested more than USD 25 million in the terminal over the past four years aimed at supporting the handling of oversized wind cargoes.
“Despite some headwinds, it was a solid tonnage season for the Port of Duluth-Superior, and record-breaking for wind energy cargo,” said Deb DeLuca, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “Looking ahead, we have reason for optimism in 2020, with the prospect of greater international trade certainty and more project cargo scheduled to arrive.”
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority also secured USD 10.5 million in financing to build a new 43,000 square feet warehouse and rehabilitate the dock wall. As part of the rehabilitation, 7 acres of laydown space for inbound and outbound heavy-lift cargo will also be fortified.
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