Burns Harbor Port Extends Key Partnership

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor runs along the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System. (photo courtesy the Ports of Indiana.)

The Port of Indiana Burns-Harbor has extended a partnership with its longtime stevedore and marine terminal operating company, Federal Marine Terminals. The Ports of Indiana says the deal will run through at least 2023. 

FMT is responsible for loading and unloading cargoes to and from ships that come into the port. Some of the commodities it handles at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor include steel, breakbulk cargoes, forest products, and heavy lift/project cargo such as wind turbine components and massive beer tanks.

Matthew McPhail, vice president of sales and marketing for FMT, says the company is solidifying its commitment to the port by investing in its fleet of equipment at Burns Harbor.

"FMT has recently ordered a new crane and we are bringing in a second crane to accompany it," said McPhail. "FMT strives to meet the needs of all its customers, regardless of shipment size. Our ability to handle large-dimensional cargo is due to our safety-conscious staff, our modern equipment and the facilities the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor provides."

The announcement comes weeks after the Ports of Indiana reported record shipments in 2018. The state’s three ports handled 14.8 million tons of cargo last year, a 21 percent increase over the previous record in 2015.