WASHINGTON: A new company is going to handle bulk cargo at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor. Long Beach, California-based Metro Ports was hired as the new bulk terminal operator at the deepwater port on Lake Michigan, replacing Lakes and River Transfer after its contract expires at the end of June. Metro Ports will load and unload bulk cargoes, including shipments of steelmaking, agricultural, manufacturing, energy and construction products. Montreal-based Federal Marine Terminals, which has invested millions of dollars in the port over the years, will remain on as the port’s general cargo stevedore for freight such as steel and heavy equipment.
Metro Ports is the country’s oldest stevedoring company, and it has a long established presence on the west, east and gulf coasts. “We’re honored to be selected as the bulk terminal operator at the Port of Indiana,” Metro Ports President Michael Ferguson said. “We see tremendous potential here to leverage the port’s connections to ocean ships, Great Lakes vessels, river barges and multiple rail carriers, as well as the region’s powerful industrial base located within sight of downtown Chicago. Indiana was the obvious choice for us to expand our business into the Midwest and establish a Great Lakes presence. We could not have asked for a better business partner than the Ports of Indiana and are already working together with their team to develop new shipments that could significantly grow business in this region.” Metro Ports is expected to invest in bulk terminal upgrade that increase throughput capacity at the port, which handled 2.6 million tons of cargo like steel and beer tanks last year.
