Despite a delay to the start of this year’s shipping season, The Port of Cleveland is reaping growth in jobs, shipping, and revenues…thanks to a rebounding economy and initiatives like the Antwerp-to-Cleveland trans-Atlantic route. That’s the message from port and Congressional representatives. ideastream’s Brian Bull reports:
==================================
With the Port as backdrop, officials touted the increased traffic happening on the docks. Some 120 international ships are expected to pass through the Port of Cleveland this season, compared to an average of 70 to 80 ships in recent years.
At a press event yesterday, former Ohio Congresswoman Betty Sutton – now Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation – said trade on the Great Lakes Seaway system was up 8 percent last year. Her points were punctuated by cargo ships sounding off behind her, preparing to leave port.
“That’s pretty great. Sound effects are built in,” laughed Sutton. “Now what that means? That whistle blows, that horn blows, that means jobs are happening here in Cuyahoga County and in Cleveland here at the Port.”
Last year, more than 4 million tons of cargo passed through Cleveland. That’s less than half of pre-recession levels but still an improvement over recent years. Measured in tonnage of cargo, the U.S. Department of Transportation ranks Cleveland in the Top 10 among more than 80 Great Lakes ports.
Meanwhile, the trans-Atlantic trade route between Europe and Northeast Ohio is being expanded, and a Belgian partner is shouldering most of the risk.
The Spliethoff Group agreed to pay for a second vessel to travel between Cleveland and Antwerp, increasing traffic at the Port of Cleveland from once a month to once every other week.
“Last year, we were chartering a ship and as part of that, we were covering all the expenses,” explains Will Friedman, President and CEO of the Port Authority.
“This year all the expenses are the responsibility of the Spliethoff Group, and we’re just making a fixed investment. So it really has shifted more risk toward Spliethoff and gives them the right incentives. But it still contractually provides a guarantee that we’re going to have a number of ship calls here at Cleveland.”
Friedman says total expenses for the Antwerp-to-Cleveland shipping route last year were roughly $5 million. He says the Port’s fixed investment is now half that.
The Port Authority says there’s been continued and growing interest overseas in goods from Ohio. Shipments last year included iron, steel, plastics, and on one occasion, a school bus and several cases of Great Lakes Brewing Company beer.