In 2023, Ports of Indiana shipped its second-highest tonnage in its 63-year history.
Shipments of coal, fertilizer, soy products, minerals, ethanol and cement increased last year. The tonnage marks a 6% increase over 2022. It is second to 2018, when Indiana’s three ports handled 14.8 million tons of cargo.
Rail shipments also increased in 2023, with Ports of Indiana handling 65,14 rail cars.
“The 2023 cargo volumes were even more impressive considering some of the major challenges facing our industry this past year with low water levels and lock closures,” said Jody Peacock, Ports of Indiana CEO, in a press release.
The U.S. inland maritime industry faced multiple challenges last year. An extended lock closure on the Illinois River, near-record water lows on the Mississippi River and a weeklong stoppage by Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway employees also impacted shipping.
Indiana ranks 12th in the nation for maritime shipping. In 2023, Indiana’s three ports supported over 49,000 jobs and generated $8.7 billion annually for the state’s economy, $3.5 billion in annual wages and $536 million in state and local taxes.
“This is an exciting time at Ports of Indiana,” Peacock said. “We’re going through a transformational period as we build up our internal resources to spur port growth and work through transitions of key terminal operators at all three ports.”
Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority. It operates three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. The ports are at Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville and Mount Version. Ports of Indiana was founded in 1961.
