WASHINGTON: Total barge tonnage for the Tulsa Port of Catoosa for 2016 was 2,259,346, pushing the cumulative total of tons since the Port opened in 1971 to 79.97 million tons. This means that in the first few weeks of 2017, the Port will reach the milestone of 80 million total tons shipped. This capstone achievement ends a year that also saw the Port move and expand its Maritime Education Center and complete a $12 million renovation to its main dock and bridge crane. In December 2016, the total barge tonnage for the Tulsa Port of Catoosa was 243,260 tons, which marks a 65 percent increase over usage from the same period last year. In addition, total barge tonnage for the entirety of 2016 was 2,259,346 tons, a 46 percent increase over 2015. The Port of Catoosa also made significant moves and renovations during 2016. In May, the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority celebrated the completion of the port’s Main Dock Renovation Project. The project took more than two years to construct and $12 million dollars in investment. The renovations completely replaced the surface of the 45-year-old dock and constructed more than 6,000 feet of new railroad. The port also moved and expanded its Maritime Education Center, adding more hands-on displays, and expanded the Port education reach throughout the state. During 2016, the Port’s Maritime Education Program reached more than 12,000 people.
At the May 10 Main Dock Dedication event former Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett said, “With this investment, the port is now ready to serve Oklahoma’s seacoast for another 45 years. Our port truly has evolved into a world-class, multi-modal transportation facility, insuring that we have the most optimum transportation rates for our business and industry.” In addition to the dock surface and new rail, the Port of Catoosa renovated the main dock’s 45-year-old, 200-ton bridge crane, bringing the crane up to today’s industry standards. “The refurbishing of the overhead crane has been a true asset to Tuloma Stevedoring,” said Terry McDonald, Tuloma owner/CEO. “The crane is basically like a new unit now. We are so pleased with the entire renovation.” The Port and it’s capabilities help attract and support a diverse and robust cross section of waterborne, rail and truck-based commodities and their related industries. Port Authority Chairman Chip McElroy said, “We ship more than 30 million bushels of wheat to the Gulf every year. The Port and waterway are critical to the thriving agriculture industries in Oklahoma and Kansas.” Equally important is the impact that the Port has on the region’s manufacturing sector. McElroy added, “Over the last 10 years, 3 million tons of iron and steel, raw and finished goods, have crossed the Port’s main dock. With the investments made over the last few years in the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, it will continue to play an even more important role in the future of Tulsa and Oklahoma’s economy.” The Tulsa Port of Catoosa 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.
