Ports of Indiana extended its contract with the stevedore Metro Ports at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, where it loads and unloads commodities.
The statewide port authority signed a five-year extension of its bulk terminal operating agreement with Long Beach, California-based Metro Ports, a more than 150-year-old company that dates back to the California Gold Rush and now is one of the largest stevedoring companies in the United States.
Ports of Indiana said it hopes to expand bulk cargo operations at the deepwater port on Lake Michigan. Metro Ports, which operates 20 ports along the East, West and Gulf Coasts, has handled bulk cargos there since 2017.
“Metro Ports has been an outstanding partner at Burns Harbor and their continued leadership will be instrumental as we increase bulk cargo-handling capacity at the port,” said Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “Their decision to launch their first Great Lakes operation here in 2017 marked a pivotal moment for bulk-cargo growth at our port. Today, we’re proud to continue building on that success and strengthening Indiana’s role in global supply chains.”
Great Lakes freighters move an estimated 90 million tons of cargo a year, supporting 146,500 jobs, according to the Lake Carriers' Association.
The Port of Indiana Burns-Harbor moves about 3 million tons of cargo a year. It moves commodities that are vital to the steel, construction and agricultural industries, such as iron ore and limestone.
Metro Ports loads and unloads bulk commodities like coking coal, grains and minerals. It helps move goods via hulking ocean vessels known as salties, Great Lakes lakers, railcars and river barges.
“Indiana offers a strong business environment, and we’re very optimistic about the opportunities at Burns Harbor,” said Lee Swietlikowski, president of Metro Ports. “Ports of Indiana is making transformational investments in infrastructure, allowing us to expand capabilities and better serve the industrial and commercial markets across the Midwest. We are proud to be part of this forward-looking partnership.”
Port of Indiana Burns Harbor Port Director Ryan McCoy said Metro Ports, which was incorporated in 1923, has cultivated strong relationships with customers since coming to the deepwater port in Portage.
“Metro Ports operates as an extension of our team,” he said. “Their unwavering commitment to service and innovation has earned the trust of our customers and helped drive substantial growth across multiple commodities.”
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