Detroit - American Great Lakes Ports Association (AGLPA)

Port Detroit

Advancing Maritime in Southeast Michigan

The Port of Detroit is Michigan’s largest dry cargo port and one of the largest Foreign-Trade Zones in the United States, serving as a critical gateway for international commerce. The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA) provides strategic leadership, advances policy initiatives, and facilitates access to federal and state funding on behalf of 18 cargo terminals and multiple Port of Detroit stakeholders.

Located along the busiest inland waterway in the Western Hemisphere, the Port of Detroit is a major center for regional and global trade, handling millions of tons of cargo annually. The port accommodates ocean-going vessels, Great Lakes ships, commercial work boats and cruise and passenger vessels from around the world.

In addition, DWCPA is Green Marine certified and is actively implementing a Decarbonization and Air Quality Improvement Plan focused on reducing emissions, enhancing local air quality, and advancing a clear pathway to net-zero operations by 2040.

Michigan’s Largest Inland Port

Port of Detroit is located along the west side of the Detroit River and along a 1.5 mile section of the Rouge River, working as a key international trade point near the U.S.-Canada border.

The Port of Detroit Impact

While supporting heavy industry, DWCPA works as a cornerstone of economic development. By facilitating global trade and supporting thousands of local jobs, DWCPA helps advance the Port’s cargo and vessel activity to generate significant economic impact for the State of Michigan. DWCPA has also taken decisive actions to reduce carbon emissions from port-related activities and is working to advance the transition to zero emission fuels for ships, cargo equipment and trucks in the Port. Learn More

Jobs Supported

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Economic Activity
(Annually)

$ 0 M

Income Generated
(Annually)

$ 0 M

Cargo Handled
(Metric Tons)

0 M

Port Facts

Foreign Trade Zone: 70

General Purpose Foreign Trade Zone (Nicholson Terminal–Detroit, Nicholson Terminal–Ecorse) defers duties until consumption or IE bond shipments from the FTZ for immediate export.

Terminal Capacity

Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. is the stevedoring company operating two general cargo terminals in the Port.
Waterfront Petroleum serves as the commercial ship fuel supplier at the port.
Michigan Marine Terminal at River Rouge is the port’s largest liquid bulk storage facility with a 32-million-gallon storage capacity; several other liquid bulk storage facilities are in the area.

Equipment