Port Milwaukee saw a 70% increase in international tonnage, earning its 16th Pacesetter Award
MILWAUKEE – Port Milwaukee has earned the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for the 16th time from the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), an operating administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The award recognizes ports in the Great Lakes and along the St. Lawrence Seaway whose activities increased international tonnage.
In 2024, Port Milwaukee increased international tonnage through the Seaway by 70%, shipping more than 324,000 metric tons of international freight. Leading cargo categories included dry bulk commodities such as salt, cement, and aggregates, alongside liquid bulk shipments. The Port also sustained its role in supporting agricultural exports, including soybeans and animal feed. The Port’s handling of steel, breakbulk, and oversized project cargo strengthen regional manufacturing, construction, and logistics.
“Port Milwaukee continues to see success on the international stage, and I congratulate the entire port team for this achievement,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “This recognition reflects our strong commitment to growing Milwaukee’s role as a hub for global commerce, job creation, and economic prosperity for the State of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.”
Port Milwaukee Director Jackie Q. Carter acknowledges the collaborative effort that led to the award.
“This Pacesetter Award is the result of Port Milwaukee staff and partners working together to elevate and demonstrate the diverse capabilities offered at Port Milwaukee. That work continues in 2025,” Carter shared.
During an award ceremony on Friday, Aug. 15, GLS Administrator Mike McCoshen highlighted Port Milwaukee’s strong commercial activity, supported by terminal operators and expanded agricultural infrastructure designed to accommodate higher-value breakbulk and project cargoes.
GLS continues to be a vital supply chain for regional manufacturers, growers, and producers to access global markets. According to GLS, “the Great Lakes pathway has a long, demonstrated record of being a safe, reliable, and efficient passage for commercial transportation, supporting 150,000 U.S. jobs, $26 billion in economic activity, and $19 billion in business revenue annually.”
