Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett recently introduced a new program that will encourage ship owners who utilize Port Milwaukee to join a shipping sustainability program that will help decrease reduce greenhouse emissions.

According to a press release by Port Milwaukee, the StewardSHIP program will go into effect on April 1, 2022. The new program will be available to vessels that have implemented measures to reduce emissions and other environmental improvements. Vessels that register for the new StewardSHIP program prior to arrival in Port Milwaukee will potentially be able to receive a 10% discount on dockage charges which is applied on a per-visit basis. The StewardSHIP initiative is expected to attract new customers to Port Milwaukee and generate an estimated $50,000 in increased revenue.

“Milwaukee is addressing the threat of climate change with new clean energy and sustainability efforts. The Port’s StewardSHIP initiative is a tool to boost economic activity in the harbor and promote eco-friendly practices on the Great Lakes,” Barrett wrote in a Dec. 15 Twitter post.

The discount is also available to vessels participating in the Green Marine program or other international shipping sustainability programs. This discount can be applied to all foreign and domestic vessels, including river barges and Great Lakes freighters. 

Port Milwaukee Director Adam Tindall-Schlicht stated that climate change causing the water levels of the Great Lakes to fluctuate threatens trade and business.

“The climate crisis is a real, immediate and growing challenge to the Port’s success, as dramatically fluctuating Great Lakes water levels threaten our ability to do business. That’s why the StewardSHIP environmental incentive is needed now more than ever in the maritime industry,” Tindall-Schlicht said, according to the press release. “Preserving and protecting our environment requires everyone to act. This will encourage more ship and beneficial cargo owners to promote sustainable policies and environmental stewardship while handling their freight at Port Milwaukee.”

Around 250 ships utilize Port Milwaukee every year and over $2.4 billion worth of goods move through Wisconsin’s ports.