Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor recently celebrated the start of the international shipping season with the arrival of the M.V. Pile.
The ship arrived at Indiana’s Lake Michigan port 19 days after departing from Port of Ijmuiden, Netherlands, and navigating the North Atlantic and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system. The bulk carrier is owned and operated by Polish marine line Polsteam.
Burns Harbor Port Director Ryan McCoy presented Ports of Indiana’s Steel Stein to Captain Janusz Szatanik on board the Pile. The stein presentation is an annual first ship-arrival tradition. It represents Northwest Indiana’s role as the steel capital of North America.
“We look forward to this day every year,” McCoy said in a press release. “It’s fun to share a little Hoosier Hospitality with the crew and present the Steel Stein, but most importantly, it signals to our global trade partners that Burns Harbor is open for business.”
The M.V. Pile delivered 8,300 metric tons of steel products to Burns Harbor that will be used by local manufacturers.
Polsteam has been in the business of maritime shipping on the global market since 1951. Built in 2024, the Pile is 656 feet long and 79 feet wide. The ship has a dead weight tonnage capacity of 37,591 tons.
The St. Lawrence Seaway opened March 25 for the 2025 international shipping season. This marks the 67th year of operations on the marine superhighway. The Seaway closes during winter for routine maintenance on the system’s 15 locks. Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor is open year-round to handle cargo via river barge, lake vessels and truck.
