The Port of Cleveland and Canadian developer Milo Harbour have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a truck ferry connecting Cleveland and Wheatley, Ontario via Lake Erie.
Why it matters: The proposed service would give freight haulers an alternative to congested highway and rail routes, particularly the Windsor-Detroit border crossing, which handles roughly a quarter of U.S.-Canada merchandise trade.
By the numbers: The ferry could carry up to 300 round-trip truckloads daily, with the 55-mile crossing taking approximately two to three hours.
Zoom out: Marine transportation has the added environmental benefit of reducing diesel emissions from long-haul trucks, not to mention wear and tear on transportation infrastructure, the Port noted in a statement.
Yes, but: The ferry is currently only designed for cargo, not tourists.
What's next: The partners are targeting an early 2028 launch, pending infrastructure planning and regulatory approvals.
