The Mesabi Miner is powered by 2 Pielstick 16PC2-2V-400 single acting, 4 stroke cycle V-16 cylinder 8,000 b.h.p. (5,968 kW) turbo-charged diesel engines burning intermediate grade 280 fuel and driving 2 controllable pitch propellers giving the vessel a rated service speed of 15.5 m.p.h. These engines were built by the Fairbanks Morse Engine Div. of Colt Industries International, Inc. of Beloit, WI. She is equipped with a 1,500 h.p. (1,119 kW) bow thruster. The vessel is capable of carrying 63,300 gross tons (64,317 mt) of iron ore at a mid-summer draft of 29' 01" (8.86m); the product being contained in 7 holds serviced by 36 hatches. Her cubic carrying capacity for coal is 57,200 net tons* (51,892 mt). The Mesabi Miner's self-unloading system consists of a gravity fed 3-belt hopper/belt system feeding a stern mounted 265' (80.77m) discharge boom that can unload up to 10,000 tons of iron ore or 6,000 net tons of coal per hour. She is equipped with modern pollution control systems that effectively handle the ship's waste and cargo dust.

Overall Dimensions (metric)
Length 1004' 00" (306.02m)
Beam 105' 00" (32.00m)
Depth 50' 00" (15.24m)
Capacity (mid-summer) 63,300 tons (64,317 mt)
at draft of 29'01" (8.86m)
Power (diesel) 16,000 b.h.p. (11,936 kW)