Burns Harbor to Spend $14 Million Upgrading Cargo Equipment

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor in Portage will spend $14 million to modernize its cargo handling operations. Of that total, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has provided an $11.2 million federal grant. Ports of Indiana will contribute the remaining $2.8 million.

The funding will purchase a mobile harbor crane, bulk-handling attachments, reach stackers, a top handler, and off-road yard trucks. The new mobile crane is designed to switch between bulk grabs, breakbulk lifting gear, and container spreaders. This capability allows the facility to process steel, bulk materials, construction supplies, and project cargo alongside future international container traffic.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the investment on Tuesday. The grant is part of a $498 million federal package intended to upgrade 35 ports across 19 states. The goal is to strengthen national supply chains. Duffy visited the Portage facility in June.

State and federal officials cited Indiana’s geographic position as a key reason for the investment. Governor Mike Braun stated that the port helps Hoosier farmers and manufacturers reach global customers more directly. He noted that the investment would allow Burns Harbor to move goods faster.

Ports of Indiana Chief Financial Officer Erica Jackson described the grant as a smart investment in port infrastructure. She said the combined federal and local funding would activate existing docks and terminal space. This action aims to create new revenue streams to support the port long term.

U.S. Senators Todd Young and Jim Banks also commented on the award. Young emphasized that securing federal investment to expand Burns Harbor’s shipping capabilities has been a priority for years. Banks called Burns Harbor the beating heart of the state economy and viewed the grant as a major step toward modernizing operations.

According to data from the Ports of Indiana website, Burns Harbor’s 10-year average annual traffic includes 324 barges, 81 ships, 350,000 trucks, and 10,000 rail cars. The port’s economic impact is valued at $4.63 billion. It generates $363 million in local and state tax revenue and supports 28,400 jobs.