Minnesota
States/Provinces
0
JOBS$0
BILLION$0
MILLIONMinnesota Relies on Great Lakes-Seaway Shipping
The state of Minnesota borders 272 miles of Lake Superior. Its four deep-draft commercial ports handle more than 58 million tons of inbound and outbound cargo annually.*
Great Lakes Seaway shipping is critical to the state's mining and agricultural sectors. Ore from Minnesota's Iron Range is railed to Lake Superior ports and transported by vessel to steel mills in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Ontario. Farm products from the upper Midwest are brought to the Port of Duluth for export to Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa and South America. Wind energy components that originate in Spain, Denmark, Germany, South Korea and China arrive through the Port of Duluth for transport to inland wind energy projects. Likewise, wind turbine blades made in North Dakota are shipped from Duluth to Spain, Brazil and Chile. Large refinery components are shipped to the Port of Duluth from all over the world, destined for the oil fields of North Dakota and Alberta. Each unique cargo movement has a positive economic impact on Minnesota, creating jobs and stimulating the state's economy.
* includes the bi-state port of Duluth/Superior
Economic Impacts (In 2018 USD)
| Jobs | Personal Income | Business Revenue | Local Purchases | Total Taxes Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,160 | $413 million | $1.27 billion | $222 million | $230 million |
Investments (In 2013 USD)
| Invested in Minnesota port, terminal and waterway infrastructure |
|---|
| $121 million |
Minnesota Port Activity
| Port | Annual Tonnage | Major Cargoes Handled |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth/Superior | 35,102,000 | iron ore, coal, limestone, wheat, soybeans, salt, cement, sand/gravel, machinery |
| Two Harbors | 17,208,000 | iron ore, aluminum ore |
| Silver Bay | 6,248,000 | iron ore, coal, limestone |
| Taconite Harbor | 63,000 | iron ore |
Sources:
- The Economic Impacts of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation System, 2011 – Martin Associates
- The Economic Impacts of Maritime Shipping in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region, 2017 – Martin Associates
- Infrastructure Investment Survey of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System, 2015 – Martin Associates
- Waterborne Commerce of the United States, Part III, 2013 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Waterborne Commerce of the United States, 2018 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers