Efficiently. That's how. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is an inland multi-modal shipping complex. Each day products are moved through the Port using barge, rail, and truck - often in combination. The Port’s transportation assets include the waterfront docks and terminals and the 1.5-mile private channel on which they are located.

The Port owns three locomotives, serving the terminals and 20 private industry spurs on its 12-mile short-line system. It also owns two switch-boats, which move barges between the docks and the fleeting areas along the Port’s channel. These services are performed by the Port’s contract operators, the Port of Catoosa Railroad, and the Peavey Company.

Inter-port drayage of break-bulk cargo (especially steel) is offered by Tuloma Stevedoring, the Port’s contract operator of the general dry cargo dock. With limited exceptions, all loading, unloading, and transfers occur on Port industry spur-tracks or at these docks with services performed by the terminal operators.

“Door-to-Door” arrangements for freight are contracted between shippers and third party service providers. While neither the Port Authority nor its terminal operators make such arrangements, both are glad to assist by connecting you with those who do.

In general, a shipper’s choice of modes is determined by size (weight and or dimensions) and value of the shipment, as well as time requirements.

River Barges – An Economical Choice for Your Shipping Needs. For bulk and break-bulk cargo, barge shipping is best for shipments in excess of 1,500 short tons (30,000 cwt, the capacity of a standard hopper barge) or increments thereof. Both origin and destination points must be barge capable since multiple shifts between modes will erode savings. Freight arrangements are typically made through barge lines who provide the barges and contract with third parties for river towing. Transit times on the U.S. Inland waterway system average 100 miles per day.

Certain high-value fabricated pieces or “Project Cargo” are barge candidates as well. These are typically international shipments trans-loaded to or from ocean vessels at the Port of New Orleans or the Port of Houston. Such shipments are often restricted by weight or cubic dimension from moving on trucks or rail. The Port’s Roll On/Roll Off (“RO-RO”) Wharf can accept any such shipment. Freight arrangements for these are made by heavy-lift transport companies or project forwarders.

Trucking – Convenient Access to Major Interstates. The Port is served by most of the Nationwide contract carriers and averages over 450 trucks per day. Truck shipments are usually “next-day” requirements and average 20 short tons (400 cwt). Most truck shipments are to or from bulk storage at the Port’s terminals or for plants in the general industrial park.

Located near the geographic center of the U.S., truck traffic can reach either coast in just two days.

Railroads – Door-to-Door Service to Port Shippers. Rail shipping is ideal for most bulk and break-bulk cargo in average units of 100 short tons (2,000 cwt). Most of the national rail network is privately owned by the “Class I” operators. The Port is served by three Class I Carriers: the BN-SF (direct connection), the Union Pacific and the Kansas City Southern (via a short-line switch on the South Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad). The South Kansas and Oklahoma is a Class III with an extensive network in both Kansas and Oklahoma. Rail service is usually booked with the origin carrier who typically provides the cars. The Port is a scheduled service point for all three carriers. Rail transit times for most bulk and break-bulk cargo are roughly equal to barge within 750 miles and are days shorter beyond 1000 miles.

Airlines – A Large, Modern Airport is just a Short Drive Away. Adding to the Tulsa Port of Catoosa's accessibility is the Tulsa International Airport. Just seven miles from the Port, this large, modern airport is served by major passenger carriers such as American, Continental, Delta and Southwest, and cargo carriers including FedEx, UPS and Airborne.

Containers – Ship Around the World with Ease. World-wide, containerized shipping is the wave of the future. A sealed container can be shipped around the world on a single bill of lading eliminating redundant documentation and pilferage during inspections.

For information on shipping in 20 ft. or 40 ft. steamship containers by truck, rail or barge, contact Karen Miles, the Port’s U.S. Customs container freight station, at Miles Shipping Co. Phone (918) 266-2211, or fax at (918) 266-3767.

Foreign Trade Zone 53 – Financial and Operating Benefits for You. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is home to Foreign Trade Zone 53.

A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a secured site within the United States where foreign imports and domestic merchandise are considered to be outside U.S. Customs territory. Goods in the zone remain in international commerce as long as they are held within the zone or until they are exported.

The zone provides many financial and operating benefits for the user – particularly improved company cash flow. For instance, customs duties and taxes can be deferred on products or materials imported into the zone, or reduced by assembling components into final products within the zone. Duties and taxes may also be substantially reduced or avoided by inspecting and destroying substandard materials or defective merchandise in the zone. Bulk shipments may be purchased economically, brought into the zone and repackaged before being marketing in the U.S.

There are many more ways to increase profits through the use of a Foreign Trade Zone.

For more information on the advantages of using an FTZ, contact Karen Miles at Miles Shipping by phone at, (918) 266-2211, or fax (918) 266-3767.

Bonded Warehouse – Store Imported Goods with Confidence. If an FTZ doesn’t fit your needs, you may want to consider storing your imported goods in one of the Port’s bonded warehouses owned and operated by Miles Shipping Co. Contact Karen Miles by phone at (918) 266-2211, or fax at (918) 266-3767.

Tulsa Port of Catoosa logistics experts are available to advise shippers as to which mode of transportation may be best suited for their particular shipments and to furnish appropriate service provider information for each.