Northwest Indiana Business Magazine

Northwest Indiana’s Leading Regional Business Magazine Since 1991

  • Home
  • Industries
    • Banking
    • Education
    • Health & Wellness
    • Manufacturing & Technology
    • Professional Services
    • Real Estate & Building
    • Small Business & Entrepreneurship
    • Tourism & Recreation
    • Transportation & Logistics
  • Community
    • Around the Region
    • Business News Bits
    • Economic Development
    • Events
    • Leadership
    • Making a Difference
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Viewpoint
    • Publisher’s Note
  • Jobs
  • Webinars
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Past Issues Archive
    • Advertise With Us
    • Business News eNewsletter
    • Subscriptions and Renewals
    • Contributing Writers
    • Editorial and Business Advisory Board
    • Magazine Team
  • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise With Us
    • Subscriptions and Renewals
    • Our History
    • Privacy
    • Terms
  • Log In
You are here: Home / Community / Business News Bits / Arrival of first ocean vessel opens 2020 international shipping season at Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor

Arrival of first ocean vessel opens 2020 international shipping season at Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor

April 14, 2020 – By Larry Avila

Port of Burns Harbor

The arrival of the M/V Muntgracht, a cargo ship from the Netherlands, on April 13 marked the opening of the international shipping season at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor (Photo provide by the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor)

The first ocean-going vessel arrived April 13 at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, signaling the start of the 2020 international shipping season.

Port officials welcomed the M/V Muntgracht, a 466-foot general cargo carrier, after her five-day voyage through the St. Lawrence Seaway to Burns Harbor. The coronavirus pandemic cancelled the ceremonial Steel Stein presentation, a long-running tradition at the port, where the captain of the ship is given a steel stein, which symbolizes Northwest Indiana’s role as the “steel capital of North America.”

Captain Folkert Pans and his crew of 16 sailors and port officials exchanged friendly waves, safeguarding the welfare of all personnel, port officials said.

“The arrival of the first international ship of the year is always an exciting time as it signifies the prosperity the vessels help deliver to our region,” said Port Director Ian Hirt. “While we can’t celebrate in our traditional way, we are grateful for the commitment of our international partners to help deliver important cargo and products to global markets.”

Nearly 1,650 tons of wind turbine hubs and nacelles shipped from Bilbao, Spain will be unloaded from the M/V Muntgracht by port stevedore Federal Marine Terminals. Upon completion in Burns Harbor, the Netherlands-flagged M/V Muntgracht will travel to Thunder Bay Port in Canada to load the next shipment, which it will take to Europe.

Hirt expects approximately 75 international vessels this year, a significant increase over last year and anticipates most of the additional shipments to be energy-related cargo.

“Many of the components for the natural gas-powered electrical plants and the wind turbines are made internationally,” said Hirt. “As the Midwest pivots from coal to natural gas and renewable energy sources, it makes sense for our port to handle the large-dimensional cargo and transload to the nearby final destination.”

Maritime operations at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor generates nearly $4.9 billion annually in economic activity and supports more than 39,000 jobs. The port handled nearly 2.6 million tons of cargo in 2019, a 6% decrease from 2018, which port officials blame on high water levels and trade uncertainty.

The St. Lawrence Seaway opened its locks to ocean vessels on April 1, about a 10-day delay in an effort alleviate water levels on Lake Ontario, port officials said.

“Every navigation season brings opportunities and challenges and the 2020 season will be no different, said Craig H. Middlebrook, deputy administrator of the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. “While the opportunities and challenges change each year, what remains constant are the safety, reliability, efficiency and environmental performance advantages of waterborne transportation.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Larry Avila
Follow me
Larry Avila
Larry is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience working with daily newspapers and business-to-business publications around the Midwest. Avila is a Michigan native and a graduate of Central Michigan University.
Larry Avila
Follow me
Latest posts by Larry Avila (see all)
  • Survey finds pandemic taking toll on small businesses - January 15, 2021
  • Indiana Manufacturers Association elects 2021 chair, officers - January 15, 2021
  • RDA taps internal executive for interim CEO role - January 14, 2021

Filed Under: Business News Bits, Transportation & Logistics Tagged With: 2020 shipping season, Around the Region, international shipping, M/V Muntgracht, Netherlands, port of indiana-burns harbor

Print Issue

December-January 2020

December-January 2020 issue

Magazine Articles

In this issue

Around the Region

People first attitude

A fresh look at numbers

Sound mind and body

Leadership potential

Guidance for entrepreneurs

Advocate for children

Legacy of environmental trust

Outdoor adventure awaits

Viewpoint: Better workforce essential

Categories

Archives

  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Business News Bits
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Us
  • Subscriptions and Renewals
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Contact

© Copyright 1991-2021 Linker Media Group, Inc · All Rights Reserved