Ports of Indiana, Metro Ports: Additional Investments Planned

The Ports of Indiana announced yesterday that the country’s oldest stevedoring company, Metro Ports, will become the new bulk terminal operator at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor.

Starting July 1, 2017, Metro Ports will manage the loading and unloading of shipments along the port’s East Harbor for port tenants and outside companies shipping bulk cargoes.

“Having a 165-year-old company like Metro Ports select Indiana to launch its Great Lakes operations is a tribute to our state’s business climate and our extremely successful port system,” said Rich Cooper, CEO for the Ports of Indiana.

“Indiana’s robust maritime economy leverages shipping connections to domestic and international markets through the Great Lakes and the inland river systems to support 155,000 Hoosier jobs and generate $21.5 billion in annual economic activity.”

In 2016, the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor handled nearly 2.6 million tons of cargo, completing the highest three-year total in the port’s history.

In addition, the Ports of Indiana invested nearly $2.5 million into port infrastructure, including dredging and stabilization of two ship berths to increase dock capacity for handling Seaway draft vessels as well as replacement of 2,000 feet of rail track and rehabilitation of multiple rail turnouts.

Additional investments are planned by the Ports of Indiana and Metro Ports to upgrade the bulk terminal to increase the port’s throughput capacity.

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