The shipping platform

Location: The port of Toledo, Ohio, is situated at the western end of Lake Erie at the mouth of the Maumee River, the largest river flowing into the Great Lakes. General overview: It is one of the major ports, in terms of international tonnage, on the Great Lakes coastline. The focal point of the port of Toledo is the 61ha overseas cargo centre, located along 1.6km of straight line wharf at the mouth of the Maumee River. Any vessel capable of transiting the St Lawrence Seaway can safely transit to Toledo harbour. Traffic figures: Approx 10,000,000t of cargo handled annually. Exports: Grain, coal, machinery, lumber and chemicals. Imports: Iron pellets, steel, fertiliser, bulk cargoes, non ferrous metals and petroleum. Load line zone: Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: Largest vessel handled: "Columbia Star", 35,923GT, LOA 304m, draught 8.0m.