Getting to know DWCPA

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The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA) is a government agency advancing southeast Michigan’s maritime and related industries with the purpose of delivering prosperity and economic benefit to our citizens and businesses. For more than 35 years, the DWCPA has worked to bolster the community by being the connection between the maritime industry and the Great Lakes region, raising awareness of the importance of the Port of Detroit and how the cargo and vessel activity generates economic impact for the State of Michigan.

The Port of Detroit

Boasting the title of Michigan’s largest inland port, the Port of Detroit is located on the west side of the Detroit River. The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority oversees the port, which is made up of multiple marine terminals for handling general, liquid, and bulk cargo as well as passengers. Steel reigns supreme as the Port’s most valuable commodity, while ore takes the lead in terms of the largest amount of goods handled by tonnage. Other goods handled at the port include stone, coal, and cement.

Our Relationship

The Port of Detroit contains several terminals in Detroit, River Rouge, and Ecorse. General cargo is processed through the NT&D Detroit Terminal and the NT&D Ecorse Terminal, operated by Nicholson Terminal & Dock Company. Specific liquid and bulk cargoes are processed at other terminals along the Detroit and Rouge rivers. The DWCPA owns the NT&D Detroit Terminal located in the Delray neighborhood of Detroit. All other marine terminals at the Port of Detroit are privately owned and operated.

Each year, the Port Authority oversees millions of tons of cargo at 29 private and public sector terminal facilities in the Port of Detroit, including international and domestic commodities, which are shipped in and out of the port. Since it is one of the largest steel-handling port in the nation, the port is a powerhouse to the United States economy. At the Port of Detroit’s own terminal, steel, aluminum, cement, and project cargoes are handled for the support of the manufacturing community in Southeast Michigan.

Social Responsibility

In addition to supporting the economic vitality of our region, the Port Authority takes seriously its responsibility to improve the health and wellness of residents and the environmental sustainability of the Port of Detroit. The Port Authority demonstrates this commitment by working with Port of Detroit terminal operators and other port entities to establish best practices to reduce harmful emissions from port activity. We encourage members of the community to participate in the implementation of our Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan, provide feedback on our progress toward sustainability and become active members of the community governing body. Click here to learn more