CATOOSA, OKLA. – October 16, 2008 – September barge shipping through the Port was up by 23,000 tons or 17% over September of 2007. Likewise, the nine month year to date volume of 1,611,723 tons is up by 198,148 tons or 14% over the same period in 2007. This trend is likely to continue for the remainder of 2008 enabling the Port to realize a projected annual volume of 2.2 million tons according to Steve Kissee, Chairman of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority.

Grain shipments out of the Port principally accounted for this increase. This is understandable given the competitive freight rates afforded our shippers earlier this year through use of rail to barge shipments, stated Kissee.

A total of 830,088 tons of cargo were shipped on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System in September, 19% of which was handled at the Port. Barge shipments on the Oklahoma Segment amounted to 277,900, 56% of which was transported through the Port.

Since opening for business in December 1970, the Port has handled over 61 million tons of barge freight in 38,000 barges for an average annual volume of 1.7 million tons in slightly over 1,000 barges per year.

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the head of navigation for the 445-mile-long waterway that links Oklahoma and the surrounding five-state area with ports on the U.S. inland waterway system and foreign and domestic ports beyond by way of New Orleans and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

The 2,500 acre Port Industrial complex offers industrial sites for lease. Riverview Business Park, adjacent to and owned by the Port Authority, has fully developed land for sale. Together they are home to some 62 companies employing nearly 4,000 people.