Port of Cleveland Cargo Rises 77% in July

Cargo from international ships increased 77% at the Port of Cleveland, on higher imports of European steel, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

David Gutheil, vice president of maritime and logistics at the port, told the Plain Dealer that business is on track to increase about 5% in part due to a new on-dock rail system.

The $4.5 million rail loop finished last September gives Norfolk Southern and CSX more access to the port. Previously, most of the port’s cargo moved out by truck, the newspaper reported.

The port can now move heavy cargo from ships to longhaul railcars, allowing the port to compete for new orders, Gutheil told the Plain Dealer.