Barge shipment is a big business in northern and southern Ohio.
The state of Ohio, located in the midwestern United States, features a prosperous barge shipping trade. It is sandwiched between Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River in the south. On the Ohio River, the largest port city is Cincinnati, also known as the Riverfront City. Meanwhile, Cleveland's and Toledo's ports dominate shipping trade on Lake Erie. Some operations at Ohio's ports are run by local governments, but private shipping companies are also involved.
Toledo
Located in western Ohio, Toledo is on the shores of Lake Erie, and the Port of Toledo is operated by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, which is the same organization that runs Toledo Express Airport and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza railway station. This sea port has seven terminals and each specializes in a certain type of shipment. Some shipments from these terminals include grain, petroleum and cement. The Port of Toledo also has a shipyard for constructing and repairing cargo ships. The shipyard is operated by Ironhead Marine Incorporated.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is in southern Ohio and offers shipping ports on the northern banks of the Ohio River. This riverfront city is home to the Cincinnati Barge and Rail Terminal, which operates barge traffic on the Ohio River. According to the Cincinnati Barge and Rail Terminal website, approximately 222 million tons of cargo are transported on the Ohio River. This terminal is on a 25-acre compound and offers docks for up to six barges. Indoor and outdoor storage units are available. The government-operated Port of Greater Cincinnati Development was founded in 2000 and is responsible for riverfront development, which includes efficient transportation routes and buildings.
Cleveland
Operated by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, the Port of Cleveland is on the northern edge of downtown Cleveland, facing the shores of Lake Erie. According to the Port of Cleveland's website, this shipping port transports more than 12 million pounds of cargo per year. This port has nine berths, and its dock space comprises approximately 6,500 linear feet. As of 2010, the primary companies with operations in the Port of Cleveland include Kenmore Construction, Federal Marine Terminals and Essroc. In 2009, the Port of Cleveland was awarded a Green Marine Certification in light of its environmentally friendly practices. The Port of Cleveland is a part of Highway H20, a waterway system for barge shipping throughout the United States and Canada.
Tags: Ohio River, Port Cleveland, Lake Erie, Barge Rail, Barge Rail Terminal, barge shipping, Cincinnati Barge
