Port of Catoosa’s main dock undergoes multi-million dollar renovation

The multi-million dollar renovation on the port’s main dock will enable the port and Tuloma Stevedoring, the operator of the port’s main dock, to handle over one million tons of steel and break bulk cargo each year.    The Port of Catoosa, an inland river port in Northeast Oklahoma, is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation on its main dock to include more flexible cargo handling capabilities, short-term storage and intermodal transfer services.
   A spokesperson for the port told American Shipper that the renovation began Aug. 2014 and the majority of the work will be completed by March 2016, except for a new 300-ton crane for which bids are still pending.
   The renovation, which is the single biggest project undertaken by the port authority since the Port of Catoosa began operations in December, 1970, was made possible from the matching federal TIGER grant, the port said.
   The Port of Catoosa started the renovation project with the replacement of its old transit shed with a relocated larger building. Other improvements include new concrete; relocated railroad tracks, which will provide better rail access and flexibility; and a new cargo handling area free of obstructions.
   Upgrades to the existing 200-ton overhead crane and the addition of a second crane, which has a 300-ton lifting capacity and will allow the Port of Catoosa to accommodate barges up to 65 feet wide, is currently in the planning stages.
   The renovation will enable Catoosa and Tuloma Stevedoring, the operator of the port’s main dock, to handle over one million tons of steel and break bulk cargo each year, according to port projections.
   In addition, the project will double the Port of Catoosa’s main dock capacity to include simultaneous handling of three barges and will improve the port’s ability to handle non-conventional cargo and ultimately containerized freight, Port of Catoosa Deputy Port Director David Yarbrough said.
   The renovation project will not cause any service interruption for shippers who rely on the port for iron and steel equipment transfers between rail, truck and barge.
   “These capacity improvements will ultimately have the potential to redirect truck transport traffic – including intermodal shipments – from a number of Gulf ports to inland waterborne traffic routes through the Port of New Orleans and subsequently to the Port of Catoosa,” the port said. “This will further enhance the port’s existing status as an inland, international, multi-modal logistics center.”