Port of Cleveland to launch cross‑Lake Erie truck ferry to Ontario

The Port of Cleveland and Milo Harbour Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a cross‑Lake Erie truck ferry service linking Cleveland, Ohio, with Milo Harbour in Wheatley, Ontario. The service is slated to begin operations in early 2028 and will run up to 300 round‑trip truckloads per day, with a transit time of two to three hours.

The ferry will provide a maritime alternative to the heavily congested Windsor‑Detroit border crossing, aiming to strengthen supply‑chain resilience for manufacturers, shippers and logistics providers on both sides of the border. Cargo arriving in Cleveland will have immediate access to the port’s extensive highway and rail network, reaching roughly half of the U.S. population within a 500‑mile radius, while Canadian shippers gain a direct route to U.S. markets and onward container service to Europe. Project officials cite potential reductions in road congestion, infrastructure wear and diesel emissions.

Port of Cleveland Chief Operating Officer David Gutheil said the partnership underscores Cleveland’s role as an innovator in Great Lakes maritime trade and supports broader goals for sustainable, cross‑border commerce.