Coal loadings at Superior Midwest Energy Terminal (SMET) in Superior, Wisconsin, totaled 580,792 net tons in March, virtually the same as last year. However, a comparison of loads in 1,000-footers for the past several years illustrates the impact of falling water levels. Listed below are the largest loadings in a 1,000-footer bound for a lower Lakes port in March of the last four years:
2000 - 61,771 net tons
1999 - 62,350 net tons
1998 - 64,881 net tons
1997 - 65,041 net tons
The comparison will become more dramatic as April loadings become available. Vessels generally load lighter than normal for the first few cargos of the season just in case there has been some shoaling or other obstruction develop during the winter lay-up period.