Henderson Riverport Opens Bulk Dock

The Henderson County (Ky.) Riverport Authority celebrated the $2.3 million renovation of its bulk dock, including the purchase of a new electric material handler, during an April 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The ceremony at the facility, Ohio River Mile 808, marked the official opening of the dock for direct port operations.

The material handler is designed to enhance the port’s operational efficiency, positioning it to better serve regional industries and support continued economic growth along the Ohio River.

Ben Weithman, the riverport’s executive director, said the material handler eases the pressure on the port’s 40-year-old, 125-ton cable crane while also allowing increased maneuverability.

“It allows us to drive over to the railroad tracks and to load and unload railcars, so we can make multiple uses of this,” he said in his ceremony remarks.

Additionally, he said it positions the port better for the future. When the dock was built in 2004, he said it was mainly used to load out scrap and coal and, later, grain. Over the years, he said, the port has been doing more inbound business, including in fertilizer and metals.

The new material handler will allow simultaneous unloading of two barges at the facility’s two docks, easing seasonal bottlenecks and reducing demurrage costs for customers. While the port tends to unload bulk projects at the new dock and breakbulk loads at the main dock, crews also now have the option to unload both bulk and breakbulk cargoes at both docks, if needed.

The Sennebogen 850E material handler provides redundancy that can allow the port to continue operations even if there are issues with antiquated equipment. The new material handler also has an 85-foot reach, which Weithman said was essential because the dock sits about 40 feet above the river at typical summer pool. The reach will allow the material handler to transload cargoes in both high-water and low-water conditions.

A new concrete pad at the dock will help to prevent fertilizer wastage and provide a smooth, clean surface that will benefit operations. The port also completed a series of electrical upgrades to modernize and ensure reliability. Together, having a dedicated bulk dock along with a new, highly efficient material handler will help the port to better market its bulk-handling services, Weithman said.

The bulk dock refurbishment project began in May 2024 and was mostly funded through state riverport grants.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together local and state leaders, business partners and community members to celebrate.

State Rep. J.T. Payne said the project represents a continued commitment to infrastructure improvements by legislators.

State Sen. Robbie Mills spoke about the importance of continued investment in transportation.

“I think this is another project that will prove to be a very smart investment,” he said.

Rocky Adkins, senior adviser to Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and a former state representative, said a state study funded by the legislature and with the partnership of the Kentucky Association of Riverports between 2018 and 2020 has helped the state to better understand the benefits and needs of its six active public riverports and four developing ports and to invest in them as important tools for economic development and job creation. In the 2026 legislative session, the state passed and the governor signed a budget that includes more than $29 million in appropriations for its public riverports, which is a record, he noted.

“I think the reason that you’re seeing Kentucky with record-breaking economic development announcements is because of the investment that’s been made in transportation modes, whether it’s on air, rail, road or here at riverports up and down this river,” Adkins said.

He added that when meeting with CEOs of businesses considering locating within the state, the existence of the Ohio River and Kentucky’s network of riverports is critical.

“It’s been a big, big advantage to us here in Kentucky,” he said.

Henderson County Judge/Executive Brad Schneider said the upgrades to the riverport are a key part of the county’s economic development plan.

“This is another key component in making things even more prosperous here,” he said.

Weithman thanked all the speakers and said he and his fellow Kentucky port directors are grateful for the legislative support, including recent investment and continued appropriations for the state’s riverport grant programs.

“We all, all of us across the state, worked diligently to make sure the dollars sent to us were put to very good use,” he said.

Speaking specifically of the bulk dock refurbishment at Henderson, he said he believes it will provide the state a return on its investment, serving as a key step toward long-term growth, increased capacity and expanded opportunities to the region. Additionally, he said that as the port continues to evolve, it remains committed to driving economic development and serving as a premier regional logistics hub.

Featured photo caption: State and local leaders and business partners gathered April 30 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Henderson Riverport Authority. The riverport recently completed a $2.3 million renovation of its bulk dock, including a new electric material handler, concrete pad and electrical upgrades. (Photo by the Henderson (Ky.) Chamber of Commerce)