Port Traffic Trends: Green Bay

Port of Green Bay: Coal and Salt Deliver Strong October Numbers

October was a strong month for coal and salt imports at the Port of Green Bay. Coal increased by more than 15,000 tons and salt by 22,000 tons from year earlier levels. Petroleum shipments also increased, by 23,000 tons.

"The increase in salt and coal is a good sign that raw materials are still in high demand this late in the season," said Dean Haen, director of Brown County Port and Resource Recovery. "Increased exports of petroleum products are in response to shortages of ethanol still being experienced on the east coast."

He noted, too, that it has been a particularly good season for cement shipments, with a year-to-date tonnage increase of 83 percent spurred by "ongoing construction and road projects."

Despite the bright spots, season-to-date cargo tonnage overall trailed last year’s numbers by 10 percent. "We’ve had some unseasonal weather over the last few months," said Haen. "As long as the temperatures stay moderate, we could see a late end to the season, which means there is more time for shipments to come in and close the gap."

The Port of Green Bay has 14 active terminal operators.