Shipping through the Port of Toledo generates nearly 7,000 jobs in Ohio with a combined payroll exceeding $558 million, according to a study jointly released Wednesday afternoon by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation.

The overall economic impact of Toledo’s port exceeds $1 billion once business revenue and purchases by individuals and businesses dependent on the seaport are factored in, said the report, which was announced during a news conference Wednesday afternoon at the port authority’s general cargo docks near the Maumee River’s mouth.

“The results of the economic impact study clearly show the positive impact of our seaport’s operations to the northwest Ohio region,” Paul Toth, the port authority’s president, said. “Thousands of people are employed directly or indirectly as a result of Toledo’s robust cargo handling operations. This includes not only dock workers, but also jobs with railroad and trucking companies, steamship agents, freight forwarders, and many others.”

During the news conference, port officials also announced the recent purchase of two locomotives by Midwest Terminals of Toledo, the local stevedore, for rail operations at the port.

Midwest Terminals has significantly increased the amount of cargo transferred between ships and trains at the general cargo docks since taking over as operator of the general cargo docks, and will also operate the new Ironville Dock, which features a rail loop suitable for loading or unloading 100-car trains of grain, stone, and other bulk material.

Last year, the port authority received two new high-efficiency mobile harbor cranes for the port, while this year a new material handler and dry-bulk conveyor arrived at the general cargo docks. The cranes consume just 25 percent of the fuel used by equipment they replaced, and they, the material handler, and conveyor all enhance the port’s cargo handling capacity, too.

“The Port of Toledo has specialized handling equipment and facilities, which further enhances the value of this unique shipping connection,” said Collister “Terry” Johnson, the Seaway corporation’s administrator, who traveled from Washington to participate in the news conference.

“Toledo’s port expansion, along with their recent investments in infrastructure and equipment, are indicators of the port authority’s commitment to utilizing the Seaway to move North American products to customers around the world,” Mr. Johnson said.

First Published December 14, 2011, 8:46 p.m.