Port of Indiana - Burns Harbor

The Port of Indiana – Burns Harbor is a strategically located deepwater port on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, within the industrial heartland of Northwest Indiana. Opened in 1970, this port plays a significant role in supporting major American industries, especially steel, agriculture, and manufacturing. As Indiana’s first port, Burns Harbor provides essential access to global markets via the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, connecting directly to the Atlantic Ocean. Its modern infrastructure, including more than one mile of berthing area and extensive multimodal facilities, enables Burns Harbor to handle ocean-going ships, lake vessels, and river barges efficiently. More than 30 companies, among them 15 steel-related businesses and three integrated steel mills, operate in the port, reflecting its regional economic significance in both bulk and breakbulk cargo. With its capacity for heavy industrial development, proximity to critical transportation networks, and specialized facilities, the port is a vital logistics and distribution hub within the Chicago metropolitan area, impacting trade across the Midwest and beyond.

Facilities

• One mile of deepwater berths on Lake Michigan
• Ro-Ro dock for roll-on/roll-off vessels
• Bulk and breakbulk cargo handling facilities
• Shortline railroad (Burns Harbor Railroad) with 12 miles of track
• Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ #152)
• On-site warehousing and distribution
• 24-hour security
• Heavy industrial zoned land
• Direct connections to Class I railroads and multiple interstate highways

Operating Hours

24 hours a day, 7 days a week