Detroit hopes port revitalization bring ships back

Detroit hopes port revitalization bring ships back

When President Bush imposed his steel tariffs in 2002, the Detroit Marine Terminal was a bustling entry point for steel imports. Now, it has all but been abandoned since it suspended operations in September 2003 before eventually shutting down nearly a year later. However, according to an article reported by The Detroit Free Press’ Tom Walsh, if Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has his way, the terminal may soon see new life. Kilpatrick has been vigorously pushing to revive commercial shipping along Detroit’s waterfront since a visit to the Persian Gulf city of Dubai in May 2002. Kwame envisions something similar for Detroit: A bustling port of entry handling water-borne cargo, rail, and trucks in a harmonious relationship. The whole plan hinges on the Detroit City Council approving a proposed transfer of 35 acres of privately owned land to city ownership. In order to facilitate the transfer, the Moroun family, whose Ambassador Port company would assume partial responsibility for the 35 acres, would pay off $2 million in outstanding bond debt unpaid by the former Detroit Marine Terminal. If all goes well, the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority hopes to have the port operating again and hiring new workers within 30 days. A return of steel shipping to the once derelict port could be just the leverage the authority needs to open talks with the Big Three automakers about shipping components via marine freight, a move that would lay a solid foundation for the port’s revival.