Ports of Indiana launches initiative to develop container terminals
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The Ports of Indiana Commission on Thursday approved a resolution establishing what the port authority is calling The Indiana Container Initiative. The effort aims to support the development of multiple international container terminals throughout the state.
The Ports of Indiana said in a news release that the state’s three ports at Burns Harbor along Lake Michigan, and Jeffersonville and Mount Vernon along the Ohio River do not currently handle container shipments.
The new initiative is designed to pursue the establishment of such facilities not just at the ports but in other inland locations in Indiana.
“Containerized freight represents a critical component of our state’s international trade and a new frontier for expanding our ports,” Ports of Indiana Commission Chairman Micah Vincent said in the release. “This resolution clearly states our vision and commitment to develop new container facilities that will increase the value of our ports and provide critical shipping connections for Indiana businesses.”
In addition to the development of the terminals, the resolution directs of the Ports of Indiana to pursue the necessary regulatory approvals to establish the facilities, make investments and seek additional funding sources to support the effort, and explore best practices for developing and operating the terminals.
Additionally, the organization is tasked with engaging in partnerships, trade missions, international agreements and collaborations to establish new global container shipping opportunities for Indiana.
Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said the initiative will serve as a key driver for elevating the state’s role as a hub for global trade.
“Establishing new container facilities at the Crossroads of America can create both economic and public benefits by reducing shipping costs, creating access to world markets, and establishing green shipping corridors that decarbonize supply chains,” Peacock said.
A timeline for establishing the container terminals was not specified.
A September 2023 report showed that Indiana’s three ports generate an estimated $8.7 billion annually for the Indiana economy, supporting about 49,000 jobs. Last year, the ports handled a near-record 12.6 million tons of cargo, up 6% over the previous year.