Cargo Capabilities

The Port of Cleveland serves as the premier international multimodal trade hub on theGreat Lakes and the gateway to America’s Heartland.

The Port provides a critical connection betweenNortheast Ohio and the global economy. ThePort of Cleveland gives shippers a competitiveadvantage by providing access to:

  • Faster door-to-door transit time

  • An all-water seaway route directly into U.S.heartland

  • Reduced congestion

  • Ample capacity

  • Half of U.S households and manufacturingplants within an 8-hour drive

Port of Cleveland

Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence Seaway

The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway region is one of the world’s most dynamice conomic corridors, spanning eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. If it were a country, its $6 trillion economy would rank third globally — larger than Japan, Germany, or the United Kingdom. Home to 107 million people, the region drives nearly 40% ofU.S.–Canada cross-border trade, earning its reputation as North America’s Opportunity Belt.

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Map

A Vital Marine Highway

Each year, more than 160 million metric tons of cargo move through the Seaway, supporting key industries like manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and energy with cost-effective, efficient transportation. Beyond commerce, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River provide drinking water to millions and support rich ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

Sustainability & Safety Leadership

Great Lakes ports, terminals, and vessel operators are dedicated to reducing their environmental footprint and safeguarding these vital waters for future generations. The Port of Cleveland has proudly participated in the Green Marine environmental certification program since 2007, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable operations.

Marine shipping in the region also boasts an outstanding safety record. Compared to other transportation modes, it’s less disruptive, has fewer accidents, and maintains a highly trained, regulated workforce. A study of nearly 70,000 voyages from 2002–2011 showed 98.9% were accident-free, with no fatalities reported — a testament to the industry’s strong safety culture and advanced navigation technology.

Cleveland Europe Express

Transatlantic Shipping

The Cleveland-Europe Express is the only scheduled container service on the Great Lakes, offering direct import and export connections between the U.S. and Europe. It provides a valuable alternative to congested coastal ports, with a 7–10 day door-to-door transit time savings compared to traditional routes.

Key Service Highlights

  • Only scheduled container service on the Great Lakes
  • Direct connection between Cleveland and major European ports, including Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and the United Kingdom
  • Faster, more efficient access to the Great Lakes region and America’s Heartland

Expanded Capacity & Growth

In partnership with Spliethoff, the service added the Peyton Lynn C, an 860 TEU container-only vessel, expanding capacity and increasing monthly sailings. This enhancement is expected to grow business by 30–50%, offering shippers more flexibility and reliability for their supply chains.

Spliethoff Group ship

About The Spliethoff Group

The Spliethoff Group is the largest ship owner in the Netherlands with a fleet of over 100 multipurpose vessels. The Dutch ice-classed ships that can sail through the Seaway operate a direct scheduled service between Cleveland and Antwerp with an average sailing time of 13 days. The Spliethoff Group has immediate connections from the Port of Antwerp to Russia, Finland, Spain, UK and the Baltic states.