Release Date: 09/26/2007

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor and its general cargo stevedore, Federal Marine Terminals (FMT) Burns Harbor, registered an increase in cargo tonnage shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway over their 2005 performance. The port posted a 30 percent increase last season, nudging its terminal to top honors after it had improved international Seaway freight tonnage by 73 percent.

In last year's 2006 navigation season, the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor increased tonnage, handling more than a million metric tons of steel imports valued at $584 million. FMT also had an outstanding season of 791,000 tons worth $422 million.

"Each shipload of cargo transiting this port and terminal contributes thousands of dollars to the local economy and underscores the importance of international trade in a global economy," said Collister ("Terry") Johnson, Jr., Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC).

The port handles mostly semi-finished steel coils used extensively in the automobile, manufacturing, and construction industries throughout America's industrialized Midwest.

Johnson's remarks came at the state's fifth annual logistics summit that focuses on ways to expand the competitive advantages of the Hoosier state's transportation, distribution and logistics industry.

Receiving the Seaway's Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor and FMT Burns Harbor's terminal were Rich Cooper, Executive Director, Port of Indiana and Ian Hirt, General Manager, FMT.

"This Pacesetter Award validates the effort from our port companies and our staff to deliver the best possible services for attracting new business and retaining business from existing customers," said Cooper. "Last year was the best year in this port's 37-year history. It handled $820 million in total shipments, nearly half of Indiana's three-port total of $1.89 billion in 2006."

While Burns Harbor has historically been noted for its steel imports, the FMT Terminal exported 10,000 tons of Mittal-made steel to Pasajes, Spain two months ago.

The beefed up traffic numbers last year earned the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor its eighth SLSDC Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter tonnage award and FMT Burns Harbor its fifth Pacesetter honor. For the 2006 season, seven other ports and four other terminals won the award.

The Pacesetter Award acknowledges those U.S. ports and terminals in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System that have shown increases in international freight tonnage shipped through the waterway over the previous year.