Cleveland – July 15, 2024 —

The Port of Cleveland announced today that it has been awarded $5 million from the State of Ohio to help fund the crucial modernization of the Cleveland Bulk Terminal’s iron ore conveyor system. This vital tunnel system transfers iron ore pellets into a facility through connected conveyer belts that moves the cargo onto a river-class vessel that takes the material to upriver steel manufacturing businesses. 

Port CEO William Friedman thanked both the Ohio House and Senate Finance Committees and the entire Cuyahoga County delegation for championing the funding, which was approved by the Ohio Legislature as part of its capital budget.

“We are extremely fortunate to have secured such a significant grant in the highly competitive capital budget. Our local delegation—including State Sen. Matt Dolan, finance committee members and Governor Mike DeWine’s administration truly understand and appreciate the financial impact of this iron ore facility. It is vital for steel production along the Cuyahoga River, which helps underpin our Northeast Ohio economy,” said Friedman.

The Port acquired the iron ore terminal in 1997 and since then has invested millions of dollars in the bulkhead and material handling equipment and has moved away from old technology to improve the site’s efficiency, increase its throughput capacity and implement more environmentally sustainable best practices.

The original section of the mechanical conveyor system was relocated from Lorain in 2003 and includes a concrete tunnel under the stockpiled taconite on the dock. The tunnel and conveyor system were extended in 2021, which allowed for the blending of taconite and greater capacity.

But now, the original section of the conveyor system is near the end of its life and in need of major rehabilitation.

“The tunnel structure itself is good, but the steel and mechanics that hold up the conveyor are are in poor condition,” said Matt Wenham, the Port’s Chief of Engineering and Capital Development. “We are watching it closely for maintenance and hope to start construction in January as we can only shut down this tunnel and conveyor for six weeks a year, between early January and late February, when the Soo Locks connecting Lakes Superior and Huron are shut down.”

Because of this, reconstruction at the terminal is expected to take at least a couple of years. The Port expects to have two shifts of construction for six weeks for two years.

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