Transportation

Get to know Kansas City’s port.
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Governor Michael L. Parson Port Terminal

The Port of Kansas City  – Governor Michael L Parson Port Terminal is approximately 9 acres located at Missouri River mile 367.1 adjacent to the West Bottoms Industrial District of Kansas City MO.

View of a Barge looking towards downtown Kansas City

Located near major national railroad intermodal yards of five Class I railroads, four interstate highways and the central business district of Kansas City, the Port of Kansas City is a true multimodal connector.

We have established waterborne commerce in an innovative and sustainable way, reinvesting our revenue to that end. 

One barge is equivalent to 16 railroad cars or 70 truck trailers. The efficiency of waterborne transportation translates into shipper savings of an estimated $10 – $12 per ton. Not only does this decrease the congestion, accidents, and maintenance costs for the nation’s highway system, but it also means a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

In August 2015, the port welcomed its first barge since 2007 at its Parson Terminal in the West Bottoms, reasserting the importance of waterway transportation. A rail spur was completed in 2017, connecting the port to the Union Pacific rail line and opening a new era of multimodal transport in Kansas City. The port continues to increase tons shipped each year, and it is the fastest growing port in the Midwest. And currently, we’re in the early stages of planning the Missouri River Terminal in the Blue River Corridor. We are confident it will be a catalyst for attracting well-paying jobs and industry to that long-neglected part of Kansas City. 

The Port of Kansas City is part of a network of 15 ports located across the State of Missouri, all enabled by the same state legislation. An important part of our role is to help establish and reactivate ports across Missouri to improve the inland river network and increase commerce across the state. The port previously operated as the Woodswether Terminal but was renamed in October 2023 in honor of Governor Michale L. Parson who had shown a dedication to Missouri’s economic development including its waterway future. 

For more information, contact Richard Grenville, Vice President of Port Operations, or call (816) 559-3726.