Port of Monroe

What Port of Monroe does

Port of Monroe is a public port authority operating Michigan's only port on Lake Erie, located on the deep-draft frontage of the River Raisin in Monroe, Michigan. Established in 1932 and reinvigorated under Port Director Paul C. LaMarre III beginning in 2012, the port provides multimodal cargo handling services integrating vessel operations, dual Class I rail access (CN and NS), and immediate I-75 highway access. It handles approximately 2 million short tons annually across commodities including coal, petroleum coke, limestone, synthetic gypsum, steel coils, liquid asphalt, wind energy components, and project cargo, with primary tonnage driven by the adjacent DTE Monroe Power Plant.

The port's core products include terminal services (loading, unloading, transloading), rail services via the 2019 turning basin rail spur enabling direct ship-to-rail transfers, marine towing through Great Lakes Towing Company, heavy-lift and project cargo handling, and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) services. Under-development infrastructure includes the Michigan Maritime Gateway (Michigan's first CBP-compliant container inspection facility, opening 2025-2026) and the Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project. Terminal operations are managed by DRM Terminal Management under a partnership since 2012.

Revenue is generated through transaction-based fees including wharfage, dockage, stevedoring, and cargo handling, supplemented by professional services for heavy-lift and specialized project cargo. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The port's go-to-market is direct sales to enterprise cargo owners, manufacturers, and shipping companies, accessed via a "Request a Quote" website form, and channel partnerships with marine carriers (McKeil Marine, Spliethoff, Interlake Steamship), rail (CN, NS), and trucking partners. The port has secured over $30 million in federal, state, and local infrastructure funding, including the largest PIDP award in port history, to fund capacity expansion and diversification beyond its traditional power-generation anchor customer.

Name

Port of Monroe

Legal name

Port of Monroe

Website

https://portofmonroe.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Port of Monroe is Michigan's only Lake Erie port, providing multimodal cargo handling (vessel, rail, truck) for power generation, manufacturing, and project cargo customers, handling approximately 2 million short tons annually with over $30 million in secured infrastructure funding for expansion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Port Operations

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation (48311)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bulk Transloading & Intermodal Bulk Transfer Facilities (Rail/Truck/Conveyor/Barge) (TLAHABAN)

Keywords

• Maritime port operations
• Cargo handling services
• Multimodal freight logistics
• Bulk commodity terminal
• Project cargo handling

Headquarters

HQ city

Monroe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Terminal Services and Cargo Handling: Revenue generated from terminal operations including cargo handling, stevedoring, wharfage, and dock services for vessels. Handles commodities including limestone, synthetic gypsum, coal, petroleum coke, steel coils, wind energy components, liquid asphalt, and project cargo.
2. Multimodal Transportation Services: Revenue from providing multimodal logistics including rail access, truck transportation coordination, and vessel services through partnerships with marine carriers and trucking companies.
3. Heavy-Lift and Specialized Cargo Operations: Premium services for heavy-lift, oversize, and project cargo including transformer movements, wind tower components, and RORO operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Port of Monroe operates as a multimodal maritime cargo terminal providing terminal services, cargo handling, vessel operations, rail-to-vessel and vessel-to-truck transfers, heavy-lift operations, and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) services. As Michigan's only Lake Erie port, it handles diverse cargo including coal, limestone, steel coils, wind energy components, liquid asphalt, and project cargo such as data center modules and transformers, with direct Class I rail access (CN and NS) and I-75 highway proximity.

Product overview

The Port of Monroe operates as a multimodal maritime cargo terminal offering integrated terminal services including vessel operations, rail access, heavy-lift cargo handling, and roll-on/roll-off services. The Port is Michigan's only port on Lake Erie, providing gateway access to the state's far-reaching transportation network. Core offerings include Terminal Services for cargo handling, Rail Services with dual Class I rail access (CN and NS), and Great Lakes Towing Company operations. Key infrastructure projects under development include the Michigan Maritime Gateway (the state's first container inspection facility) and the Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project. The Port handles diverse cargo types including coal, limestone, steel coils, wind energy components, liquid asphalt, and project cargo. Terminal operator DRM Terminal Management manages day-to-day cargo operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Michigan Maritime Gateway: Michigan's first cargo inspection facility capable of screening international maritime containers, providing supply chain solution for containerized and breakbulk cargo.
• Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project
• RORO Dock Extension

Products and services

• Terminal Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Each international delivery generates estimated $1 million in regional economic impact
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• DRM Terminal ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerminal operator managing day-to-day cargo operations at Port of Monroe since 2012. Handles all cargo handling, vessel operations coordination, and specialized cargo projects.
• DTE Energy / DTE Monroe Power PlantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor anchor tenant and primary tonnage driver. Power plant imports coal and limestone, exports synthetic gypsum and bottom ash through port. Located at mouth of River Raisin adjacent to port.
• Great Lakes Towing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides tugboat services including the historic vessel 'America' (formerly 'Georgia'), the oldest commercially operating tugboat in the world. Part of Solutions menu on port website.
• Newlab and Michigan CentralstrategicTechnology or IntegrationInnovative partnership starting 2023 to provide port facilities for testing and scaling new technology solutions in transportation and zero-emission space. First pilot project with Mythos AI on hydrographic survey.
• Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)coreOthersAwarded $1 million Brownfield Redevelopment Grant in 2025 for contaminated sediment removal and infrastructure improvements supporting Michigan Maritime Gateway development.
• U.S. Department of Transportation / Senator Gary PeterscoreOthersSecured nearly $13 million in grant funding since 2020 including PIDP funding for Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project. Senator Peters has championed port infrastructure and equipment upgrades.
• McKeil MarinecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary marine carrier partner providing tug/barge services. Has operated truck ferry service (1991-2023) and continues with RORO and project cargo operations. Key partner in data center module transport project.
• SpliethoffcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational heavy-lift and breakbulk vessel operator with scheduled Great Lakes service. Handles cargo from Antwerp and European ports. Key partner for project cargo operations.
• Michigan Paving & MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates liquid asphalt storage and blending facility at port. Receives 122,000+ tons annually via vessel with pipeline connection to turning basin dock.
• Ventower IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWind tower manufacturer located within port complex. Only U.S. port with wind tower manufacturing on-site. Ships completed towers to domestic and international destinations.
• Interlake Steamship CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Great Lakes shipping company operating vessels like Paul R. Tregurtha (largest vessel on Great Lakes) and others serving port facilities.
• Scott-Woods Transport Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver-the-road trucking partner for data center module project from Ontario. Part of multimodal team delivering modules to Greater Toronto Area.
• Ashton MarineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarine tug service provider. Delivered generator stator from Schenectady to Oswego via NYS Canal system and barged to Monroe for transfer.
• CN and NS RailcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDual Class I railroad service providing direct rail access to port. Rail spur built to turning basin dock in 2019 enables direct ship-to-rail transfers.
• U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionstrategicOthersFederal agency required for international cargo clearance. Key stakeholder in Michigan Maritime Gateway development for container inspection facility.
• Gregg Ward / Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry LegacystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished truck ferry service in 1991 that became one of longest-standing short sea shipping models on Great Lakes. Legacy service wound down 2023 but logistics model repurposed for Mon-RORO project cargo operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Port of Duluth-Superior: Largest tonnage port on the Great Lakes, handling iron ore, coal, and bulk commodities. Comparable terminal operations on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system serving similar industrial cargo customers.
• Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor: Lake Michigan port with integrated steel mill access and multimodal cargo capabilities. Comparable Great Lakes bulk and breakbulk operations with rail connectivity and similar industrial customer mix including steel and manufacturing.
• Port of Cleveland: Major Great Lakes port handling bulk commodities, steel, and project cargo on Lake Erie. Comparable multimodal terminal operations and serves similar Midwest industrial customer base as Port of Monroe.
• Illinois International Port District (Port of Chicago): Operator of the Port of Chicago on Lake Michigan handling bulk, breakbulk, and intermodal cargo. Comparable public port authority structure with multimodal rail, vessel, and truck capabilities serving Midwest markets.
• Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority: Michigan-based port authority serving Detroit's waterfront with general cargo and bulk capabilities. Same state-level peer serving overlapping Midwest industrial markets via Great Lakes shipping.
• Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority: Operator of the Port of Toledo on western Lake Erie, located ~17 miles south of Port of Monroe. Direct regional competitor handling similar bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo on the same Great Lakes system, and former employer of Port of Monroe's current director.
• Port of Milwaukee: Lake Michigan port handling bulk commodities, project cargo, and steel. Comparable Great Lakes multimodal terminal operator with similar customer base in Midwest manufacturing and energy.

Regional players

• Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority: Canadian Great Lakes port at the receiving end of Port of Monroe's data center module shipments. Comparable Lake Ontario multimodal terminal operator handling project cargo and bulk commodities across the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence system.
• Port of Buffalo (Gateway Trade Center): Lake Erie-adjacent port facility in western New York handling bulk and breakbulk cargo. Comparable Great Lakes terminal operations in neighboring state, providing alternative routing options for similar industrial customers.

Others

• Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation: US federal entity managing the St. Lawrence Seaway system connecting Great Lakes ports to international shipping. Critical enabling infrastructure that Port of Monroe and other Great Lakes ports depend on for ocean vessel access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/portofmonroe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/port-of-monroe
• Instagraminstagram.com/portmonroe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port of Monroe