Duluth-Superior (USDLH)

Duluth, Minnesota and its sister port Superior, Wisconsin, are located at the W end of Lake Superior. The twin ports are important loading points for grain, iron ore and coal. They also handle imported goods and bulk materials for the Minnesota hinterland. Commodities shipped through the port include wheat (spring, durum, white and winter), corn, soybeans, sunflower seeds, canola, beet pulp pellets, barley, rye, oats and peas. Iron ore and coal are the Port's principal interlake cargoes. The leading inbound cargo is limestone. Other bulk cargoes include cement, salt, coke, calcium chloride, potash, bentonite clay, fertilizer and grain byproducts. The region benefits from a foreign trade zone, which is located at the port in the Clure Public Marine Terminal. A new inter-model container terminal has been completed at the port. With access to Canadian National's rail network, this will give the port an important advantage over the use of truck traffic by road. During Winter months, the Terminal dock area will be used for laying up of vessels. Latterly, the amount of coal handled by the port is in decline but an increase in cargoes relating to renewable energy such as wind turbines and components, is increasing.

Located at the western tip of the Great Lakes.

Draught 8.7m, LOA 336m, beam 32.01m, 96,000DWT.

Approx. 23,500,000t of cargo (including approx. 4,900,000t of coal, 13,900,000t of iron ore and 1,300,000t of grain) and 600 vessels are handled annually by the port.

Duluth Harbour Basin anchorage area occupies the E portion of the basin and is bounded on the NE and SE by dredging limits of the basin. The Superior Harbour Basin anchorage area occupies the N portion of the basin. The area at the NW'ly and NE'ly sides of the anchorage area is bounded by the dredging limits of the basin

The lake approach is 9.4m deep, and the channel between the breakwater entrance and the pierheads varies in width from 180m to 335m. The depth of 9.4m at the entrance gradually decreases to 8.2m at the pierheads

NOAA 14975.

There is a USCG station within the Duluth Harbour basin, located on Minnesota Point, adjacent to the Aerial Lift Bridge.

1000.

Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel. Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors.

Pilotage is compulsory for foreign flag vessels. The Western Great Lakes Pilots Association, whose main office is in Superior, provides pilotage in Lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior.

Duluth Ship Canal Bridge has vertical clearance of 41m. Duluth /Superior High Bridge has vertical clearance of 37.5m.

Range nil.

Three or more Great Lakes Group tugs are available throughout 24hrs and are recommended in bad weather. Minimum 3 hours notice is required.

Prevailing winds: W'ly. Temperatures range from -20°F to 85°F. Average annual rainfall is approx 700mm.

DULUTH, MINNESOTA UNCTAD LOCODE: US DLH For details see: PORTS IN THE GREAT LAKES ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

VHF: Port: Ch 16.

Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.