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Port of Milwaukee

USMKE🇺🇸USA

Port Location

About Port of Milwaukee

Also known as: Holton's Canal, Holtons Canal

Located on Lake Michigan, Port Milwaukee serves Southeastern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Northern Illinois. It handles bulk cargo and features extensive rail connections, over 330,000 sq ft of warehouse space, and 50 acres for dry bulk storage.

Background
The Port of Milwaukee, branded as Port Milwaukee, is a port in the city of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. It primarily serves Southeastern Wisconsin, Southeastern Minnesota, and Northern Illinois. The port owns 13.5 miles (21.7 km) of rail that connect to two Class I railroads outside the port. The port has over 330,000 square feet (31,000 m2) of covered warehouse space, with 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) of that being heated warehouse space. The port has 50 acres (20 ha) dedicated to dry bulk storage, which includes four domes capable of handling 50,000 tons of storage. Along with this, the port can store 300,000 barrels or 12,600,000 US gallons of bulk liquids. The port keeps a minimum draft of 26 feet (7.9 m), but this can vary due to weather.

Current Conditions

Loading current conditions…

Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
6ft
Elevation
177m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile
Drydock
U
Repair Code
B

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
4860 →
GeoNames ID
5256640 →
Wikidata
Q7231201 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
city.milwaukee.gov →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
USMKE
Country
🇺🇸USA
Time Zone
UTC-6
Feature Type
CNL (Canal)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River natural
Shelter
Excellent

Region

Subdivision
US-WI
Area
Great Lakes
Sub-area
Lake Michigan
Latitude
43.0220°
Longitude
-87.8950°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Milwaukee?+
The approach to Milwaukee is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse at 0.2 NM to the N. Other aids include Milwaukee Breakwater (0.6 NM ENE), Milwaukee County Lighthouses (2.8 NM NNE), North Point (2.8 NM NNE), Racine County Lighthouses (15.7 NM SSE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What sea or ocean is the Port of Milwaukee on?+
The Port of Milwaukee is situated on the North Pacific Ocean in US. The area falls within the temperate maritime climate zone, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Milwaukee?+
You can track vessels near Milwaukee (USMKE) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for USMKE on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Milwaukee?+
The Port of Milwaukee operates in the UTC-6 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.