Power projects can’t wait for logistics to catch up—and at the Port of Monroe, they don’t have to.
In August 2023, BigLift’s heavy‑lift vessel Happy Ranger delivered a 370‑ton Royal Smit transformer from Antwerp and set it straight onto a specialized HLI 20‑axle Schnabel railcar at our turning‑basin dock. The transformer was bound for the Fermi II nuclear power plant north of the Port. This cargo evolution proved that even the heaviest, most time‑critical grid equipment can move effortlessly through the Port of Monroe via the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway system.
Building on that blueprint, Monroe is now primed to handle the next generation of grid‑resilience cargo—utility‑scale Battery Energy Storage Systems, modular substations, and whatever tomorrow’s energy transition demands. The same assets that made our transformer move seamless make us a natural gateway for containerized battery enclosures and other high‑value grid components.
Our heavy‑lift rail spur brings Class‑I rail right to our turning basin dock. The Port is dual-served by CN and NS rail.
I‑75 highway corridors for last‑mile delivery
Looking ahead—capacity built for the future
Turning Basin rehabilitation & Ro‑Ro extension will add a concrete cap, restored seawall, and dedicated ramp for oversized cargo.
Michigan Maritime Gateway (opening 2026) will be the state’s first CBP‑compliant 100% scanning facility, streamlining international project cargo clearances.
With proven heavy‑lift credentials and new infrastructure coming online, the Port of Monroe is ready to be your trusted partner for transformer moves, BESS deployments, and every component that strengthens the grid.
