CATOOSA, OKLA. – June 17, 2010 – Shipping at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa was lower in May than in previous months of 2010 because of worldwide economic conditions as well as seasonal changes in product demand.

Inbound shipments of fertilizer saw reduced levels as both prices and demand for that commodity saw declines. Quantities of outbound shipments of wheat were also lower because of unfavorable pricing in the marketplace.

The monthly totals for outbound shipping were slightly higher than the previous month, at 80,530 tons. However, inbound totals were substantially lower than the corresponding April tally, at 43,652 tons.

Total inbound/outbound shipping from the Port on the waterway was 124,182 tons in May, moved into and out of the facility on 77 barges. The figure was lower than April's total by 34,700 tons.

So far in 2010, the Port's inbound/outbound shipping total is lower than the same time period in 2009 by more than 34,000 tons. But the first five months of 2010 yielded 929,634 tons of cargo that shipped through the Port -- a better year so far than four of the past ten years: 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005.

One of the Port's industries reporting substantial improvement in outgoing shipments of product in May was Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. The company recycles motor oil, turning a hazardous waste product into clean lubricant for vehicles. It shipped nearly 25,000 tons of finished product to its packaging facility in Indiana -- more than it has shipped in any month of this year, according to Chris Moucka, Terminal Manager for Safety-Kleen Systems at the Port.

Ed Fariss, Chairman of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority, said he remains optimistic that 2010 will be a good year for the Port.

“Economic conditions and the end of shipping seasons for some products have reduced our shipping total at the Port, but overall we are pleased with the way this transportation facility has withstood the challenges brought on by the recession,” said Fariss.

Shipping along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System was also lower in May, at 814,349 tons. April's total for the Navigation System was 1.06 million tons.

Of the May shipping total on the Navigation System, 15% travelled through the Port. Oklahoma’s share of the total barge cargo volume was 264,400 tons with 47% of that figure shipped into or out of the Port.

Since the Port opened in 1971, nearly 64.9 million tons of cargo have moved through the facility on 40,109 barges.

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the head of navigation for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The 445-mile long waterway links Oklahoma and the surrounding five-state area with ports on the 25,000 mile long U.S. inland waterway system, and foreign and domestic ports beyond by way of New Orleans.

The 2,500-acre Port complex offers industrial sites for lease, and its Riverview Business Park, adjacent to the Port, offers property for sale. Together they are home to more than 60 companies employing nearly 3,000 employees.