ESCANABA — The Canadian National Railroad Ore Dock in Escanaba will close at the end of April, according to a story posted on upperpeninsula.biz.

The story by Craig Woerpel indicates CN confirmed the move Monday with the city of Escanaba.

Ore has been shipped from the Escanaba port for 165 years.

“A CN spokesman told Escanaba City Manager Jim O’Toole that activity at the Escanaba ore dock has been very slow since Cliffs Natural Resources closed the Empire Mine last year,” the story said. “The Lakes Carriers’ Association says about 3.5 million tons of iron ore was shipped out of the Escanaba port in 2015.”

The closure is expected to impact 12 union employees, the story said. Escanaba City Manager Jim O’Toole said he was told the employees will be able to transfer to other locations.

He said the company will also be working on a redevelopment or reuse plan within the company for the property, according to upperpeninsula.biz.

Escanaba is the only iron ore port on Lake Michigan and allowed ore to shipped earlier and later in the shipping season, when the Soo Locks closed for the season.

The port is also an alternative for ore shipments in the region if the Soo Locks are damaged or shut down.