Duluth Ranked Top Port in North America by RICA

Duluth, Minn. USA – When the Railway Industrial Clearance Association (RICA) handed out its Port Service Awards for North America this year, the Port of Duluth took top honors – sitting in first place, along with the Port of Mobile, in the Association’s final rankings. In two of the individual categories – those evaluating “facilities” and “overall service” – the Port of Duluth ranked at the top of RICA’s leader board.

In final rankings, RICA’s Top Ten Ports include: Duluth and Mobile (tied for first), Houston, Albany, Savannah, Charleston, Corpus Christi, NN/Norfolk/LPD, Tacoma, and Tampa.

The Clure Public Marine Terminal, Duluth’s only breakbulk (i.e. general cargo) facility, is owned by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and operated by Lake Superior Warehousing Co., Inc. LSWCI has served as terminal operator since 1991, earning a world-class reputation for safe, efficient handling of dimensional and heavy-lift cargo.

“Being ranked first by RICA is a significant honor for us,” said Jonathan Lamb, LSWCI vice president and general manager, “because it is presented by a group that deals specifically with dimensional cargoes and was awarded by the very people we serve.” Ballots were cast by representatives of several facets of the cargo-handling/transportation industry including, among others: railroads, ocean carriers, logistics providers, manufacturers, and trucking companies.

“This award comes on the heels of yet another milestone in the port’s history,” said Adolph Ojard, Port Authority executive director. “Just this month, we passed the one million mark in freight tons of wind turbine components handled through the Port of Duluth.” Not only has Duluth become a preferred transshipment hub for the wind energy industry, but with over 360,000 square feet of warehouse capacity, LSWCI has also become a North American distribution center for dozens of companies and cargoes.

The Clure Public Marine Terminal covers 120 acres at the center of the Duluth-Superior harbor. Whether in- or outbound by water, road or rail, this breakbulk terminal has the facilities, equipment and expertise needed to handle the largest, most complex cargoes with ease.