Port KC has seen a 106% increase in tonnage since it reopened the port in 2015. For this year, the projected annual tonnage of 73,414 tons adds to the existing 40,000 tons the terminal already handles. Such a large annual increase cannot be expected moving forward, but a modest 10 - 12% growth in annual tonnages is anticipated.  

Most importantly, the terminals in the region have increased tons shipped, from 61,000 to a projected 428,000 for this year. Ports in the Kansas City region are Omaha, Nebraska City, Kansas City and Lexington, MO. Cement, grain and asphalt all play a part in the regional tonnage picture.

Tons shipped in the region have increased since 2015, with 428,000 tons projected to ship this year.
Tons shipped in the region have increased since 2015, with 428,000 tons projected to ship this year.
The shift from road and rail transport to water stems from a booming economy and tight freight capacity in the terrestrial modes. These waterborne shipping increases relate to removing 18,000 trucks from highways for long haul truck trips. As more barges appear on the river, freight rates will lower on the waterway as well as truck and rail.  This makes Kansas City and the surrounding region more competitive for freight transport and destination.