PORT TONNAGE UP; MAKI CITES 72.6 PERCENT INCREASE IN '91 GOODS

The amount of tonnage that passed through the Southeast Missouri Regional Port increased significantly in 1991, announced Allen Maki, executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority.

Maki made the announcement during the monthly meeting of the port authority's board of directors.

Maki said in 1991, 48,867 tons of bulk commodities and other cargo moved through the port. He reported that was a 72.6 percent increase over the 1990 figure of 28,454 tons and the 27,936 tons in 1989.

"That's a substantial increase," said Maki. "I hope we can do it again in 1992."

Maki said a 50,000-ton goal that was set for 1990 was only a benchmark.

"The fact that we came within one barge load of making 50,000 tons makes me very happy, he said. "It indicates the kind of growth that the port is starting to experience now that we're in business.

"I think people have become aware of us, and they're going to hear a lot more about us and move some more products through the port," he said.

Maki told the board the first barge load of liquid urea amonium nitrate fertilizer was being off-loaded into a new storage tank at the port site even as he spoke.

"That's a whole new form of commodity," he said. "It's not just dry bulk commodities that are coming through our port. Now we have liquid bulk cargo and, of course, we also have break-bulk, and we do, in instances, move specific things, such as tanks for Biokyowa and concrete bridge templates."

According to the 1991 tonnage report, a considerable part of the nearly 49,000 tons were salt and bulk fertilizer. Other commodities included substantial shipments of potash, corn, and other nitrates.

The report indicated the greatest amount of tonnage moved through the port in November, with 9,038 tons. March tonnage was 7,114; and April, January, February, May and October tonnages were each over 4,000 tons.

The port authority receives a tariff of 20 cents per ton of cargo that moves through the port. The port is situated on the Mississippi River five miles southeast of Cape Girardeau.

In other business, the board authorized bids for the lease-purchase of a 75- to 100-kilowatt electrical generator. The generator is needed to provide electricity to operate pumps for the transfer of the liquid fertilizer from the storage tank to trucks for delivery. It will also be used to provide power for the public dock area.

The board also endorsed the proposed 6-cent increase in the state gas tax, noting the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department has moved the port access road to one of its first projects in this area if the tax is approved.

After some discussion, the board authorized Maki to attend a seminar on container intermodel transportation next month in San Francisco. The cost will be approximately $1,500. Maki said only 13 percent of the travel budget has been used at this time.

The board also voted to terminate a new rail spur near the scale house. The rail line will be just to the north of the existing access road.