Q. How do I know which terminal(s) in Toledo are best equipped to handle my commodity?

A. Explore the Seaport Services/ Shipping by Commodity portion of the website to find your commodity and the corresponding terminal(s). If your commodity is not listed, see the Our Terminals section to view the attributes of each terminal to determine a good fit. You may also simply call or e-mail the Port Authority Marketing Department under the Contact Us section and we will be glad to put you in direct contact with the appropriate terminal(s).

Q. Please describe the warehousing capacity at the general cargo facility?

A. Midwest Terminals of Toledo International has ample long and short term indoor and outdoor storage available. Sheds A, B, and D alone combine for over 215,000 square feet of indoor storage. Shed C offers 59,400 square feet of indoor storage with a retractable roof for self unloading vessels to convey their cargo directly into. Shed J (pictured below) provides 32,000 square feet of temperature controlled indoor storage serviced by two 20-ton overhead cranes. The foreign trade zone (FTZ) warehouse offers 305,000 square feet of covered storage with access to indoor rail docks. The FTZ warehouse is partially temperature controlled. A combined total of over 600,000 square feet of indoor warehouse space exists to meet your inventory needs. The general cargo facility also offers an 8.5 acre paved lumber yard and over 100 acres of total outdoor storage.

Q. If you are driving north on I-75 and cross the Maumee River, what are the terminals you see from the east side of the bridge?

A. On the south side of the river you see the ADM Grain Company. On the north side of the river you can see the Kuhlman Co. aggregate facility (brown building with “K” on roof) and a series of large silos that make up The Anderson’s Kuhlman Drive Grain Elevator.

Q. I knew CSX was one of the railroads that serviced Toledo but what do they have to do with the Toledo Seaport?

A. CSX operates two of the busiest terminals at the Port of Toledo. The CSX coal dock transfers coal from rail cars onto vessels for shipment to industries and public utilities scattered throughout the Great Lakes region and overseas. The TORCO iron ore dock, also operated by CSX, transfers taconite pellets from vessels onto rail cars for delivery via rail to Ohio steel mills.

Q. What is the difference between a “Salty” and a “Laker?”

A. A salty is a vessel built for ocean transportation that can enter the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence Seaway. A Laker is a vessel built for cargo transportation within the Great Lakes and can not be used for ocean transportation.

Q. I have cargo that I would like to bring into The Port of Toledo. Who should I contact to secure marine transportation?

A. The Port Authority has relationships with many of the tug/barge, laker, and overseas vessel companies that service the Great Lakes. We will be happy to put you in contact with the appropriate contacts to transport freight. You may also want to log onto www.greatlakes-seaway.com and look in the “carriers” section for a list of contacts.

Q. I have a business in Ohio and am interested in importing and exporting product. Who can I contact locally to get started?

A. See the Resources section of the website. The International Commerce portion provides contacts that can answer questions and provide additional resources to help you get started. The Logistics Providers section puts you in contact with local folks that can help you generate shipping documents and put your product in motion.

Q. What are the advantages of intermodal transportation?

A. Economies of scale and environmental impact are two of the main reasons why companies utilize multiple modes of transportation for shipping their product. In general, it is more economic and environmentally friendly to ship in greater quantities. See www.hwyh20.com for more details. In Toledo, we are fortunate to be the location where all modes of transportation meet to provide you with intermodal flexibility.

Q. Does the Port of Toledo handle container traffic?

A. Although there are no vessels that provide a regular container liner service to and from Toledo, or at any port on the Great Lakes, the Port of Toledo’s general cargo facility has experience in container handling. They have the equipment for loading and unloading containers and have successfully handled many containers as supplements to heavy lifts and project cargos. The Port Authority and our terminal operators will be happy to assist you in bringing your containerized freight to our Seaport.

Q. How deep is the water at the Port of Toledo?

A. The port of Toledo is a deep water Port and maintains a seaway draft. This means that any vessel that can enter the St. Lawrence Seaway can access the docks in Toledo. For current conditions in Toledo click here.

Q. Is there a boat tour available where I can see the Toledo waterfront and some of the Port's facilities?

A. Yes.  The M/V Sandpiper is a 100 passenger boat that offers public rides and a venue for educational field trips, private or corporate parties, and motor coach tours.  Cruising on the Sandpiper is a great way to experience the Maumee River, Toledo waterfront, and the Port of Toledo.  The grain elevators, coal docks, shipyard, Big Lucas, and various riverfront development sites are all visible from the River.  Tours are available May through October.  For more information call 419-537-1212 or visit www.sandpiperboat.org.