The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor announced Thursday that it handled more shipments in 2014 than any year since the port opened in 1970. Total tonnage was up 30 percent over 2013 driven by strong shipments of steel, grain and salt.
"It was a terrific year thanks to our port companies, steelmakers and businesses that use our port," said Rich Cooper, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. "Federal Marine Terminals, the port's terminal operator, and its labor force did a tremendous job handling the significant cargo increases that arrived at the port by ship and barge. They extended their work hours and even worked weekends on a number of occasions to meet customer expectations."
The port also had a 35-percent increase in ocean vessels over 2013 and nearly a 25-percent increase in river barges moving through the Illinois/Mississippi river system.
"Steel going into the manufacturing sector was a key driver for the increase in port shipments," said Port Director Rick Heimann. "In 2013, the port handled its highest steel volume since 2006 and 2014's steel tonnage more than doubled the previous year's total. The port also handled over 500 barges in 2014 for the first time in several years."
Two port companies announced major expansions in 2014 as NLMK invested $8 million to expand its steel mini-mill operation and Carmeuse Lime & Stone pumped $11 million into its limestone processing facility.
Maritime operations at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor generate $4.3 billion per year in economic activity and support 33,000 total jobs.