
The Chicago Propeller Club was proud to attend the ceremony welcoming the first international vessel of the 2024 shipping season into the Port of Chicago.
Club vice president Ben Pinnington joined ILLINOIS INTERNATIONAL PORT DISTRICT chairman Ivan Solis, Alderman Peter Chico, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development CorporationPeter Hirthe as well as our bronze sponsor Chris Popjoy of QSL La réussite sur mesure / Tailor-Made Success, the primary tenant at the port, welcoming the MV Beatrix, operated by Dutch ship owner Royal Wagenborg.
* It is vital Federal and State authorities continue to invest in the port.
* The port is a key wealth creator and remains America’s principle interior trade route to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
* A stronger port under the leadership of CPC board member Erik Varela can attract more cargo from manufacturers, farms, freight forwarders and shipping lines driving inland and transatlantic trade.
* Chicago is already one of the busiest and most versatile ports on the Great Lakes handling around 26million tonnes annually including steel, ore, sugar, grain, petrochemicals, cement, non-ferrous metals, stone, coke and scrap.
* Chicago is a Goldilocks location for maritime businesses. Positioned at the multi-modal heart of the nation with world class sport, culture, heritage and recreational sailing.
* As the biggest city on the Great Lakes Chicago provides access to a $6trillion economy. If it was a country the Great Lakes region would be the third biggest economy in the world.
* The newly reformed Chicago Propeller Club is recalibrating maritime networking in the city helping businesses grow and create opportunities. Our next event is on Maritime Day May 22 a lunchtime cruise aboard City Experiences Chicago Elite. Details to follow.


