U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has approved Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor’s proposal to establish the first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan, paving the way for the only all-water container route for ocean vessels to serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area via the Great Lakes.
Located in northwest Indiana within sight of the Chicago skyline, the Burns Harbor terminal is part of the 25th largest U.S. port, handling 25 million tons of cargo annually and generating $16.6 billion in economic impact. With a population of 9.6 million people, the Chicago metropolitan area hosts North America’s largest intermodal container market, currently served exclusively by rail or truck.
This approval marks a critical milestone in our efforts to establish a container terminal at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and create a new supply chain for international container shipments.
… emphasized Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock, highlighting the significance of CBP approval and the anticipated construction of necessary facilities by 2026.
Dubbed “The Indiana Container Initiative,” the project underscores Ports of Indiana’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure to handle international container traffic. Supported by government officials and businesses, the initiative aims to leverage the strategic location of the Great Lakes to improve access to container shipping services.
Ian Hirt, a maritime consultant involved in the initiative, highlighted promising projections for container traffic, emphasizing specialized services that could enhance regional shipping reliability and efficiency.
Despite challenges such as seasonal shipping limitations and the need for specialized infrastructure like refrigerated containers and green logistics solutions, the initiative presents a substantial opportunity to diversify supply chains and bolster the Midwest’s logistics network.
