Another Record Year for Jeffersonville Port
The Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville set another annual shipping record in 2015. The port’s total cargo tonnage for the year increased by nearly 16 percent, compared to 2014.
The port says heavy volumes of agriculture and steel products led to 2.8 million tons of cargo going through the port. Steel shipments more than doubled the previous record set in 2014 and grain volume at the port was the second highest in history.
"These are exceptional times at the Port of Indiana-Jeffersonville," said Port Director Scott Stewart. "Both our port and our region are experiencing an infrastructure bonanza. The $2.3 billion Ohio River Bridges project, a $30 million transportation corridor linking the port to the new East End Bridge and River Ridge, and the $17 million TIGER project that will expand the port’s rail and bulk-loading capacity are investments of historical consequence. These projects will greatly improve the region’s strength in advanced manufacturing and logistics."
Stewart says the port’s location on the Ohio River and the port companies’ commitment to business development and improved production are the main drivers of the port’s success.
Last week, the Port of Indiana-Mt. Vernon set a new shipping record, handling over 6.6 million tons of cargo in 2015. That number broke a 21 year-old record for the port.
During his State of the State Address earlier this month, Governor Mike Pence called on the Ports of Indiana to "vigorously explore" a fourth state port. Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper said in an interview with Inside INdiana Business that a fourth port would be a welcome addition, as long as it didn’t siphon activity from the other three.