WASHINGTON: Shipping tonnage volumes were strong during the month of January 2017, with the Tulsa Port of Catoosa shipping 258,243 waterborne tons. One of the commodities routinely shipped on the waterway is liquid asphalt, shipped by Nustar Energy. Liquid asphalt is used in road construction. Over 90% of roads in the U.S. are made of asphalt, according to the American Oil and Gas Historical Society. In 2016, Nustar Energy shipped over 31,000 barrels of asphalt through the port, by barge. But Nustar, like many of the Port of Catoosa’s shipping partners, brings more than just commodities through the Tulsa area; they also give back to the local community. Nustar Energy purposely invests in the Tulsa area giving back to local, nonprofit organizations.
Nustar Energy, which has been at the Port of Catoosa since 2004, demonstrates the importance it places on being invested in the communities where it is located. In fact, Nustar matches 50 percent of all donations that it’s employees make to the Tulsa Area United Way. That means that the company donated more than $15,000 last year alone. Additionally, all Nustar employees donate time throughout the year to the Salvation Army, 4H, Special Olympics and numerous other charities. Nustar Energy, a terminal and pipeline company based in San Antonio, Texas, operates 88 terminals nationwide and miles and miles of pipeline. Nustar stores and ships all types of products from crude oil, gasoline, fertilizer and asphalt.
The Port of Catoosa location receives, stores and ships liquid asphalt and Nustar works to keep as much product locally controlled and operated as possible. Nustar Energy is diversified in its operations, delivering product by rail, truck and barge. Local trucking companies are used, which also helps the community by keeping those transportation jobs close to home. The City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority is proud to be able to partner with companies like Nustar and the other 70+ companies located at the Port. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is a singular combination of a multi-modal shipping complex and 2500-acre industrial park resulting in an annual economic impact of $300 million to Oklahoma.
The complex hosts roughly 72 companies and employs nearly 3,200 Oklahomans. Located at the head of navigation for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in Northeast Oklahoma, it is one of the largest, most inland river-ports in the United States. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa’s unique position allows companies to move millions of tons of bulk freight by barge each year and at a fraction of the cost and environmental impact of rail or truck. Just a few of the bulk freight industries utilizing the Tulsa Port of Catoosa includes portions of fertilizer distributors, industrial gas suppliers, wheat growers and manufacturers of consumer goods. The Port of Catoosa is managed and operated by the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority and provides development services through Tulsa’s Port of Catoosa Facilities Authority.
