Officials say Indiana's main Lake Michigan port seeing its busiest year in more than decade

Officials say increased shipments of grain and steel are leading to the busiest year in more than a decade at Indiana's main Lake Michigan port.

The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor surpassed its previous five-year average of total annual shipments by the end of September, The Times of Munster reported (http://bit.ly/1tl1WxY ).

Port Director Rick Heimann said much of its increased traffic involved manufacturers in northwestern Indiana and Chicago.

"There is also significant new business being generated by metal processors that have expanded facilities or developed new businesses within our port complex," Heimann said. "These sizable investments signify strong confidence in the long-term future of the Midwest economy and Great Lakes shipping."

Officials expect the port to handle 25 percent more cargo in 2014 than in 2013, as shipments of materials such as salt and limestone have also increased. That's after the port last year handled its most steel cargo since 2006.

The Burns Harbor port, which is about 10 miles east of Gary, does not track whether shipments are imports or exports, since much of the cargo handled there is bound for other domestic ports on the Great Lakes or the Mississippi River.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com