Contrary to earlier expectations, there is no immediate need to greatly expand port facilities, given the less-than-ten-year lead time to build new facilities. An upper limit of expected utility and industry demand for shipments of coal in the Great Lakes Region is expected to be 40 x 10/sup 6/ ton/y. This represents an increase of nearly 100% in annual coal shipments over the lakes or a 20% increase in total freight tonnage. Relative to other freight requirements, coal shipment facility needs are now low, so even this high growth scenario does not hint of perceived portside handling problems. The transportation network now in place on the Great Lakes does have limitations that affect industrial and utility users. These are: (a) the capacity of the Sault Sainte Marie locks, (b) the closing of the lakes in the winter due to ice (except for the St. Lawrence Seaway), and (c) the age of the Great Lakes fleet. The rail network from the mines to the transshipment point and from the port city to the plant (for hinterland locations) may both present problems.