The Port of Cleveland is cracking open its normally secured gates for behind-the-scenes tours as part of SPLASH! Freshwater Exploration Day is rolling out a 2025 impact report that officials say proves just how much cash and commerce flow through the harbor. The tours promise Clevelanders a rare look at active terminals, trolley routes snaking through working yards, and the heavy machinery that keeps cargo moving. Port leaders say pairing public access with fresh data is meant to spotlight how shipping and development finance feed jobs and investment across Northeast Ohio.
Tickets, Tours and a First-Time Opening
As reported by Cleveland 19, the Port initially put out 120 free tour tickets, and they disappeared in about 30 minutes. The authority then added 60 more slots over the weekend and plans to release another 60 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23. Kierra Cotton, the Port’s manager of marketing and communications, said, “To open up the port, that has never been done before,” noting that visitors will be able to ride trolleys through the terminals and see equipment up close instead of just watching from the shore.
What the Port’s Materials Show
According to the Port of Cleveland, the harbor supports roughly 23,000 jobs and generates about $7.07 billion in annual economic activity for the region. The Port sets those figures alongside a multi-year look at cargo movement to drive home how much waterfront-related commerce runs through Cuyahoga County.
The 2025 Impact Report also singles out year-specific results. The authority says it handled about 6 million tons of cargo in 2025, activated nine foreign-trade-zone sites, and invested more than $105 million in maritime infrastructure over the past decade. The report notes a record cruise season with 53 cruise ship calls and more than 8,000 cruise passengers in 2025. It also says the Port’s development-finance programs supported $781.7 million in total project costs, with $339.3 million backed by Port-issued bonds.
How to See the Working Waterfront
The SPLASH! event page at the Great Lakes Science Center lists the Port tours as part of the June 28 lineup and notes that the behind-the-scenes access is available only with advance registration. Cuyahoga County’s event listings also carry registration details for SPLASH!, including lakefront starting points and related activities. If you missed the first ticket release, the Port scheduled additional drops that may still give latecomers a shot at riding through the working docks.
Why This Matters to Cleveland
Port leaders are casting the report and public tours as a way to connect residents directly with the jobs and development work tied to the waterfront, from longshore operations on the docks to the financing that has helped recent projects get off the ground. Officials say expanding cruise calls and building a local maritime workforce, including internships and hands-on learning, are priorities as the Port pushes for higher visibility. For now, the tours and the new report offer a close-up look at how the harbor plugs into Cleveland’s economy instead of just serving as a backdrop on the horizon.
