Ports of Indiana saw record shipments in 2022
Foundry coke and minerals contributed to a record year for cargo at the Ports of Indiana in 2022, according to a news release sent out on Monday.
The statewide port authority operates three ports — Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon — that handled 11.9 million tons of cargo last year, a 6% increase from 2021 and up 42% from 2020. Overall, cargo volume was the fourth highest in Ports of Indiana’s 61-year history.
Burns Harbor handled 3.45 million tons on Lake Michigan in 2022, up 2% compared to 2021 and 52% more than 2020, according to the release. It was the second-straight year the port reached its highest annual shipment total since it began operation in 1970. Record volumes of foundry coke (up 210%) and minerals (up 33%) were handled in partnership with bulk terminal operator Metro Ports, the release stated, and the port also set a record for steel cargoes (up 13%) supported by efforts from the International Longshoremen’s Association, International Union of Operating Engineers and Federal Marine Terminals.
Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville handled 3.46 million tons, up 7.3% compared to 2021 and 30% more than 2020, reaching its highest annual shipment total since it began operation in 1985, the commission stated, while the Ports of Indiana-Mount Vernon handled 5.02 million tons, up 7.8% from 2021 and 42.8% more than 2020.
The year-end totals were announced at the Ports of Indiana’s regularly scheduled first quarter Commission Meeting held Thursday in Jeffersonville. The Commission also approved more than $20 million in expansion and maintenance projects.
“We’re excited to see the continued growth at our ports and this success is directly attributable to the world-class companies we partner with every day,” said Ports of Indiana Chief Executive Officer Jody Peacock in the release. “Our industry is still recovering from the economic and supply chain challenges, but the continued growth in shipments is a very good sign, and the new business development opportunities we’re seeing indicate more growth is ahead. Our Commissioners have shown tremendous vision and commitment to supporting growth of Indiana’s economy by approving more than $20 million in projects that will immediately expand Ports of Indiana’s capabilities and help our customers grow.”
At the meeting, the Commission also approved its $13 million capital budget and up to $15 million in additional future investments related to three federal grants. Among the major projects are new construction of three shipping berths and a bulk warehouse at Burns Harbor, a new barge shuttle storage facility at Jeffersonville, as well as a new dock winch system, truck scale and major maintenance projects at Mount Vernon. The Commission’s next two meetings will be held on June 15 at Mount Vernon and on Sept. 14 at Burns Harbor.