Portage-based Tanco Terminals is constructing a $8.2 million expansion of its liquid tank farm at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor.
The move will support growth in Lake Michigan shipments. Tanco is one of the port’s longest-standing residents. The company stores and performs services for liquid cargoes, such as petroleum and food-grade oils.
Tanco is adding a sixth rail loading track and storage tanks – two with 36,000-barrel capacity and one at 42,000 barrels. Tanco will add multimodal equipment for handling products by ship, barge, rail and truck. The project also includes a maintenance hub, steam boilers, electric motors for mixers and high viscosity-capable pumps for multimodal transfers.
“We see opportunities for major growth in various sectors, including agriculture, petroleum and petrochemicals, plus industries that support steel manufacturing,” said Kip Middendorf, Tanco Terminals vice president and managing director, in a press release. “Tanco is also well positioned to provide product transfer services for ISO tank containers when Ports of Indiana opens its new international container terminal at Burns Harbor in the near future.”
Founded at the port in 1977, Tanco is a family-owned, third-generation business. Tanco has also managed a second facility at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville since 2000.
Tanco's operation at Burns Harbor encompasses 8 acres and 11 tanks with over 375,000 barrels of liquid cargo capacity. The company handles 20-25 million gallons of products for customers in various industries. The construction will expand Tanco's ability to transload liquid cargo between ocean vessels, barges and rail.
“Tanco has been shipping liquid cargoes and providing critical tank farm services at our port for 47 years, and we’re thrilled to see its plans for future growth,” Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said. “This expansion creates new opportunities and better efficiencies as Tanco continues to grow, and we’re happy to continue our partnership with such a great company.”
