Port of Green Bay Reports Strong 2017

From Leonard & Finco Public Relations, Inc.: The Port of Green Bay’s 2017 shipping season came to an end as it began, with a shipment of petroleum products delivered by the tanker Michigan Great Lakes. The Michigan Great Lakes departed the Port on Monday, January 22, bringing an end to a season that saw slightly higher shipping numbers over the previous year (a 1 percent increase over 2016). The season began on March 21, the same date as last year, and ran 15 days longer. Overall, port tonnage totaled 1.833 million metric tons of cargo.

“Any time we see an increase in shipping, it’s a good season and it’s good for the local economy,” said Port Director Dean Haen. “Our final months were strong. Overall, the 2017 shipping season saw significant increases in coal, U.S. and Canadian salt, foreign imports and exports of petroleum products, and the growth of ash exports.” However, there were decreases in limestone and a reduction in domestic import and export of petroleum products.

Some specific numbers of note include:

• Shipments of coal, cement and limestone accounted for 64 percent of the cargo delivered to the Port in 2017.
• Shipments of petroleum products decreased sharply (40 percent) from domestic sources but increased dramatically (124 percent) from foreign sources, as the fuel pipeline that served Northeast Wisconsin remains shut down.
• It was also another strong year for salt imports, which increased 95 percent.
• The total number of ships passing through the port’s waters reached 166, a 5 percent increase.

“Once again, the closure of the petroleum pipeline played a major role in generating business for the Port, as it remains the primary method of bringing petroleum products into the area,” Haen said. “The large deliveries of cement, limestone and other non-petroleum products show how the port is helping other businesses in the area thrive, helping to fuel the area’s growing economy.”

Haen says he is optimistic about what the 2018 shipping season will bring. “Northeast Wisconsin’s economy continues to grow, and the Port will continue to help our local businesses thrive,” Haen said. “We’re a valuable resource that many cities don’t have, which is a major bonus for local business and it helps make our area more attractive for new business.”

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