Ramboll selected by Port Detroit to lead feasibility study for Innovation Terminal

Ramboll has been awarded a contract to evaluate Port Detroit’s proposed Innovation Terminal, supporting Michigan’s goals to expand maritime trade, to strengthen US manufacturing and shipbuilding, to develop alternative fuels utilization, and to align with the forthcoming State of Michigan Maritime Strategy.

View of Detroit, MI from Belle Isle Park

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Ramboll has been selected by Port Detroit to conduct the feasibility study for its proposed Innovation Terminal, an initiative designed to modernize port operations, expand export capacity, and position Detroit as a center for maritime innovation and advanced industry growth. The Port’s Board of Commissioners approved Ramboll’s engagement on December 12, 2025, marking a milestone investment in the future of Michigan’s maritime economy.

“This project represents a significant opportunity for Port Detroit, Michigan and the Great Lakes region. By focusing on operational efficiency, alternative fuels, terminal development, and commercial competitiveness, Port Detroit is charting a path that strengthens U.S. shipbuilding, grows exports through the St. Lawrence Seaway, and aligns with the State of Michigan’s emerging Maritime Strategy.”

Adam Tindall-Schlicht

Senior Advisor for Transport, Ramboll Americas

The Innovation Terminal concept supports several priorities highlighted in the State’s forthcoming Maritime Strategy, including enhancing industrial supply chains, strengthening multimodal freight connections, and increasing the value of Michigan’s marine transportation network. The study, which will be formally released in 2026, is expected to assess pathways to:

Improve terminal efficiency and cargo throughput at key Michigan ports, including Port Detroit
Support Michigan’s advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors
Expand export opportunities for regional industries
Modernize existing waterfront infrastructure
Evaluate technology and workforce components that can drive long-term industry competitiveness

Ramboll’s work will draw on its global ports and maritime expertise, paired with its longstanding engineering and infrastructure experience along the Detroit and Rouge Rivers. To advance the equity and workforce components of the study, Ramboll is partnering with HR&A Advisors, a recognized national leader in economic development and infrastructure strategy.

By evaluating how terminal modernization and infrastructure can expand Michigan’s role in North American maritime commerce, this Ramboll-led study will help shape Port Detroit’s next generation of port development and utilization of alternative fuels can contribute to the State’s broader vision for a stronger, more competitive maritime sector.

Want to know more?

Adam Tindall-Schlicht
Sector Lead, Ports, Transportation & Infrastructure
+1 262-901-3504