Wisconsin Ports Week

The Governor Proclaims Ports Week

Excerpt from Governor’s proclamation. See complete proclamation on the right.

• NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim
  August 15-21, 2011 as
• Wisconsin Ports Week

throughout the State of Wisconsin, and I commend this observance to all of our citizens.

Click here for TDA’s press release on Wisconsin Ports Week.

Wisconsin Ports Week Facts

Wisconsin's System

• Wisconsin has 20 commercial ports, including five that provide only passenger services.
• Wisconsin's commercial ports each year handle more than 40 million tons of cargo valued at over $8 billion.
• Commodities passing through Wisconsin ports include: farm products, coal, cement, limestone, asphalt, stone, salt, wood products, scrap materials and much more.
• Port facilities serve as a multi-modal distribution centers linking waterborne vessels with Wisconsin's extensive network of highways, railroads, and airports.

The Benefits of Commercial Ports

• Wisconsin ports provide an important transportation alternative that many states cannot offer and generate over $1.5 billion in economic activity which supports almost 10,000 jobs.
• Water transportation is the most cost efficient mode for moving bulk commodities such as agricultural products, petroleum, coal, and construction materials and also plays a vital role in the transport of heavy machinery, steel, bagged and canned cargo, wind energy components and other goods.
• A study finds that a barge can move one ton of cargo 576 miles on a gallon of fuel. This is more miles than by rail (413 miles) or by truck (155 miles).
• Water transportation is environmentally responsible. Comparing emissions per million ton-miles, researchers calculated that transport by rail and truck emits 39% and 271% more green house gases, respectively, than transport by inland barge.
• The waterways surrounding Wisconsin provide recreational opportunities and are an important part of tourism in the state. Charter fishing boats, sport fishing, and commercial fishing activities, as well as six passenger ferries, operate out of the state's harbors and marinas.

Commercial Port Links

• American Association of Port Authorities
• American Great Lakes Ports Association
• Door County Maritime Museum
• Great Lakes Commission
• Great Lakes Information Network
• Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System
• Lake Carriers' Association
• Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council
• Maritime Trails
• National Waterways Foundation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division
• U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration
• U.S. DOT Maritime Administration Marine Highways Corridor Program
• Waterways Council, Inc.
• Wisconsin Commercial Ports Association
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Click on proclamation to enlarge

Click map to enlarge

Click the image to view highlights of "A Modal Comparison of Freight Transportation Efforts on the General Public".

Click the links below to download the Highway H2O public service announcements:

Highway H2O #1
Highway H2O #2
Highway H2O #3