Ports of Indiana first half cargo up 19%

Ports of Indiana first half cargo up 19%    The Ports of Indiana handled 3.8 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2005, a 19 percent increase over the same period last year, which turned out to be the ports’ highest annual tonnage since 1998.
   In 2004, the Ports of Indiana moved 7.6 million tons of cargo across their docks, a 35 percent increase over 2003. The ports generally handle more cargo in the second half of the year because the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway is not open to oceangoing ships during the first quarter.
   For the first half of 2005, the ports experienced increases in grain (up 52 percent), steel (up 39 percent), limestone (up 38 percent), miscellaneous cargoes (up 37 percent), and coal (up 18 percent).
   The Port of Indiana includes facilities at Mount Vernon, Burns Harbor, and Jeffersonville.
   “Last year we handled just under 60 percent of our total tonnage in the final six months,” said Rich Cooper, chief operating officer for the ports, in a statement Friday. “It will be tough to match that this year, but we’re optimistic the strong shipping trends in steel, coal and grain will continue, and we hope to develop some new cargo as well.”