Tulsa Port of Catoosa Reports Record July

“Shipping tonnage at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa increased in July, making it the best July in 22 years and the second best July in the history of the Port,” said Jerry Goodwin, chairman of the City of Tulsa - Rogers County Port Authority. “Shipments of inbound steel, pipe, and dry fertilizer increased along with outbound wheat and liquid fertilizer. Shipments of inbound oats and caustic soda were down slightly along with miscellaneous grains and asphalt,” said Goodwin. Not included in July’s tonnage report was the arrival at the Port’s low-water wharf of 37 barges carrying more than 800 pieces of military equipment assigned to the Oklahoma National Guard returning from training exercises at Ft. Polk, La. “For the first seven months of the year, the Port’s total tonnage is running approximately 2.0 percent ahead of record-setting 1998,” said Goodwin. “It’s too soon for year-end predictions, but if this momentum continues the Port will certainly have one of its best years ever.” A total of 206,000 tons in 115 barges passed through the Port in July compared to 160,000 tons in 86 barges in June and 189,000 tons in 118 barges last year. Outbound shipments came to 128,000 tons in 64 barges compared to 105,000 tons in 51 barges last month and 102,000 tons in 58 barges last year. Inbound shipments totaled 79,000 tons in 51 barges compared to 54,000 tons in 35 barges in June and 87,000 tons in 60 barges a year ago. A total of 1.14 million tons of cargo were transported on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in July, compared to 929,000 tons in June. In July of last year, 1.05 million tons moved on the system. A total of 18 percent of this July’s amount passed over the Tulsa Port of Catoosa docks. The Oklahoma segment of the waterway reported 441,000 tons in July, compared to 369,000 tons in June. Last year, 416,000 tons were recorded. Of June’s total, 47 percent went to or from the Tulsa Port of Catoosa. More than 2 million tons of cargo is shipped through the Port annually in approximately 1,300 barges. Since the Port opened for business in 1971, the facility has served more than 30,000 barges carrying 48 million tons of cargo.