Last ship of the year set to arrive at Port of Milwaukee on Wednesday, December 16th

MILWAUKEE -- International cargo continued moving at a strong pace through the Port of Milwaukee in 2015, and Wednesday, December 16th will bring the last ship arriving through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Milwaukee this year.  The Federal Hunter is set to unload 3,500 tons of steel products – raw material used by local manufacturers.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will visit the Port Wednesday morning to talk about the successful shipping season and to highlight the role the Port plays to support local manufacturing and employment.

“The Port of Milwaukee is a city transportation asset that adds efficiency and value to our local economy,” Mayor Barrett said.  “When local companies operate cost-effectively, they employ more workers, and, in turn, our community is stronger.”

Since 1996, Federal Marine Terminals has served as the Port of Milwaukee’s general cargo stevedore, and this year will rank as the seventh highest overseas cargo volume during that tenure.

Forty-seven international ships called on the Port of Milwaukee in 2015.  The Federal Hunter is the last ocean vessel of the season to arrive here.  It will depart via the St. Lawrence Seaway before that route closes for the season on December 31st.

The Port remains open through the winter as ships carry cargo such as salt, limestone and cement to and from other Great Lakes ports.  Milwaukee will also host several ships that will spend the winter in the Port’s well-protected Inner Harbor.