Tulsa Port of Catoosa

Location of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa

Aerial photo of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa taken May 5, 2008

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa (TPOC) is near the city of Catoosa in Rogers County, just inside the municipal fenceline of Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. Located at the head of navigation for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, it handles shipping loads through its waterway access to the Arkansas River via the Verdigris River. TPOC offers year round, ice-free barge service with river flow levels controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.^[2] It encompasses an area of 2,500 acres (10 km²) and employs over 4,000 people at over 70 companies in its industrial park. ^[3] The port ships manufactured goods and agricultural products from Oklahoma to the rest of the world.^[4] Designated a foreign trade zone, it is a major economic engine for the region with over 2.7 million tons of cargo shipped through the Port in 2013 alone.^[5]

History

The notion of making Tulsa a port city on the MKARNS evolved during the early 1960s, as the Corps of Engineers was constructing the massive waterway. A delegation of 23 Tulsa business people travelled to Ohio to evaluate the impact of the effects of the Ohio River Valley navigation systems on regional business growth. They concluded that it would stimulate business in Oklahoma, and convinced other Tulsa business leaders to support the concept. The Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce appointed Early Cass to chair a committee, thereafter known as the City of Tulsa–Rogers County Port Authority.^[6]

The ground-breaking ceremony took place on June 10th, 1967^[7] in the Rascal Flats area, which was once known as a hideout for outlaws.^[8]

The port received its first commercial shipment in January 1971,^[6] It was officially opened for business on February 20, 1970 and was formally dedicated by President Richard M. Nixon on June 5, 1971.^[9] This port is the largest in Oklahoma. It is located 8 miles (13 km) from the Tulsa International Airport, and 15 miles (24 km) from downtown Tulsa. It is a fully equipped multi-modal transportation center served by both the BNSF Railroad and the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad. The port also provides rail switching services with three dedicated Port-owned switch engines.

In 1971 (the first full year of operation), the port handled 86,654 tons of cargo. In 2013 (the most recently reported full year), it handled over 2.7 million tons.^[10]

In addition to the many private terminals for grain, fertilizer, and break-bulk cargo located along the port channel, the port operates a 200-ton capacity overhead crane as well as a roll-on/roll-off dock. In 2016 the port added a new 720 foot dock accommodating a rail line and multiple cranes.^[11]

Low Water Wharf

Facilities

The port has five public terminals that can transfer inbound and outbound bulk freight between barges, trucks and railroad cars.

• Dry cargo terminals are owned by Tulsa Port of Catoosa. The dry break bulk cargo dock is operated by Tuloma Stevedoring, Inc. and primarily handles commodity iron and steel products. The dock is 720 feet (220 m) long with a 230-foot (70 m) wide concrete apron, and has various cranes and forklifts. It also features a 200-short-ton (180 t) overhead traveling bridge crane.^[12]
• Dry bulk freight terminal is a public terminal operated by Gavilon Fertilizer LLC, and which can handle materials ranging from pig iron to fertilizer. This terminal has two pedestal cranes and an outbound conveyor loading system. Both open and covered storage areas are available.^[13]
• Roll-on/Roll-off (RO - RO) low water wharf or "Project Cargo" is a public wharf operated by the Port Authority very large cargo (e.g. certain process equipment used in oil refineries. Often these cannot be shipped easily by truck or rail because of their weight or their overall dimensions. Sometimes these are shipped internationally by sea, and must be transferred to or from ocean-going vessels at the Port of Houston or the Port of New Orleans.^[14]
• Bulk liquids terminals handle such commodities as chemicals, asphalt, refined petroleum products and molasses. There are seven such terminals at the Port.^[15]

Change of Leadership

Robert W. Portiss, who has been director of the Tulsa Port of Catoosa since July 1, 1984, will retire on January 31, 2017. He will be replaced by David Yarborough, who was hired as Operations Manager in 2006, and promoted to Deputy Director in 2008.^[16]

Museum

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Arkansas River Museum is located at 5350 Cimarron Road in Catoosa. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:30PM (Central Time), exhibits focus on the history of the Arkansas River and the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. There is no admission fee, although donations are gratefully accepted.

References

External links

• Tulsa Port of Catoosa
• Oklahoma Digital Maps: Digital Collections of Oklahoma and Indian Territory
• Tulsa Port of Catoosa and Arkansas River Museum

Coordinates: 36°13′27″N 95°44′11″W / 36.2242643°N 95.7363721°W / 36.2242643; -95.7363721