Port Touts Shipment Record
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA southern Indiana port is celebrating record-breaking performance. Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon officials say more cargo was shipped during the fourth quarter of last year than in any other quarter in the facility's nearly four-decade history. January 15, 2014
News Release
MOUNT VERNON, Ind. – The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon finished 2013 by shipping more cargo during the fourth quarter than any other quarter in the port's 37-year history. The 1.59 million tons shipped in October-December 2013 were more than the total annual volume for each of the port's first five years of operations.
“Because of the extremely strong fourth quarter, 2013 is one for the record books,” said Port Director Phil Wilzbacher. “This was the first time our shipments exceeded 500,000 tons for two consecutive months, let alone three consecutive months. Coal, fertilizer and a record grain harvest were the primary reasons for the surge in shipments at the end of 2013.”
For the year, the port handled over 4.15 million tons, up 21 percent from 2012. The significant increase in annual tonnage was driven by strong shipments of coal, grain, soy products and fertilizer. Coal was up 47 percent over 2012, while fertilizer shipments rose 42 percent and grain increased 38 percent from last year. Coal, grain and soy products made up approximately 75 percent of the port's 2013 shipments.
“We could not have achieved the record fourth quarter without the ongoing commitment and efforts of our port companies,” said Wilzbacher. “By no means was this an easy feat. It's very satisfying to end the year in such a strong way.”
For the year, the port handled approximately 2,200 barges, 85,000 trucks and 26,000 railcars.
About the Ports of Indiana
The Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, the Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise dedicated to growing Indiana's economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system. For more information, visit portsofindiana.com.
Source: The Ports of Indiana