INDIANA: The record for most annual shipments at The Ports of Indiana stood for 20 years. But last year set a new high water mark, about 800,000 tons more than the previous record in 1994.
The state’s three ports, which include the deepwater port on Lake Michigan in Portage and two ports on the Ohio River downstate, exceeded 10 million tons for the first time since the port authority was established 53 years ago.
The ports ended the year on a strong note, with a record 1.3 million tons in December and a quarterly record 3.4 million tons of cargo in the fourth quarter.
Steel shipments more than doubled last year, as imports captured nearly a third of U.S. market share. Road salt shipments nearly tripled after last winter’s polar vortex.
“These record numbers are a tribute to the world-class companies at our ports and the importance of maritime transportation to the regional economy,” Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper said.
Tonnage rose 30 percent at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, which handled more cargo than at any time since the port opened in 1970. Ocean vessels rose by 35 percent over 2013, while barges were up by 25 percent to more than 500.
“The growth of Indiana’s ports is the result of continued investment into facilities and infrastructure by the port and our business partners,” Cooper said.
“Our board has approved over $42 million in capital investments in the past six years to help the Ports of Indiana develop one of the leading inland port systems in North America and it is gratifying to see those investments are paying off for Indiana.”
