Intermodal Briefs: Ports of Indiana, Los Angeles, Coos Bay
Ports of Indiana
Ports of Indiana on Oct. 17 reported signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to:
- “Encourage and support the expansion of agricultural exports through the state’s port facilities.
- “Investigate opportunities to develop new container shipping facilities that would serve critical needs in the agriculture and hardwood industries.
- “Connect key agricultural stakeholders with Indiana’s ports to explore new shipping opportunities and convene critical stakeholder forums.
- “Research container export opportunities related to ISDA’s key priorities, including agricultural and hardwood commodities.”
Ports of Indiana handles more than 4 million tons of agriculture products at its three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, and those cargoes make up more than a third of the total shipments.
Earlier this year, the Ports and ISDA teamed with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council to conduct a trade mission to Indonesia and to host the Indiana Container Shipping Conference. In July, the Ports received federal approval to establish Indiana’s first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to explore new agriculture and container shipping opportunities.
“ISDA has helped position Indiana agriculture as a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food and fuel production, and our ports play a critical role in connecting our ag industry with world markets,” said Jody Peacock, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “Our organizations and our industries are inextricably linked, and we have several shared objectives and opportunities for collaboration that can create future growth for our state and our agricultural communities.”
“It’s an exciting time for Indiana and I see a bright future for our ag industry in the global marketplace,” ISDA Director Don Lamb said. “One of our shared goals is to make it as easy as possible for Indiana farmers and agribusinesses to market their products around the world. By exploring opportunities to provide new container shipping facilities and better leveraging our ports, we’re taking a major step forward in giving our growers a long-term competitive advantage.”
Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles on Oct. 18 reported handling a “record” 954,706 TEUs in September, up 27% from the same month last year, and marking the close of its busiest quarter ever with 2,854,904 TEUs processed in the past three months.
Nine months into 2024, the Port is 18% ahead of its 2023 pace, with 7,586,395 TEUs moved.
September 2024 loaded imports landed at 497,803 TEUs, up 26% from the same point last year. Loaded exports came in at 114,702 TEUs, down 5% compared with 2023. The Port processed 342,201 empty containers, a 45% increase over 2023.
“Just as impressive as these new records is the fact that we managed all this cargo with skill and efficiency,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said. “None of this would be possible without the incredible efforts of our longshore workers, truckers, terminal and rail operators, and other supply chain partners. Their hard work has allowed us to achieve all these records and still be able to handle additional volume.”
Matt Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation, joined Seroka at the Port’s September briefing (watch above). Shay discussed the impact of the East and Gulf Coast labor disruption on retailers, as well as supply chain trends for the fourth quarter.
The Port in August handled a near-record of 960,597 TEUs, a 16% increase over the previous year.
Current and historical cargo data, including fiscal year-end totals, are available here.
In related news, Port of Long Beach also set a TEU record for September.
Port of Coos Bay
Port of Coos Bay on Oct. 17 reported being awarded $25 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) program for its Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) project. The project will construct a new intermodal container terminal to “streamline logistics by allowing cargo to seamlessly transfer between ships and rail, reducing congestion and lowering transportation costs for businesses,” according to the Port, whose connection to the Coos Bay Rail Line offers direct access to key national and international markets.
This $2.3 billion project will have three major components. In addition to constructing a rail-served maritime terminal on port-owned property on the North Spit, it will deepen and widen the Coos Bay Federal Navigation Channel, and make system-wide upgrades to the Coos Bay Rail Line. Rail improvements will include increasing the air draft of all nine tunnels to accommodate double stack container traffic, extension and addition of sidings, and bridge and track improvements.
The INFRA grant will support environmental compliance and permitting, as well as design and engineering work.
“The INFRA grant is a game-changer for the Port of Coos Bay and the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Project,” said Melissa Cribbins, Executive Director of the PCIP. “Oregon’s Congressional delegation has been relentless in their pursuit of dollars for the PCIP, and we are so thankful for their advocacy. This federal grant is a watershed moment for the region and adds the federal government to the growing list of critical supporters for one of the most impactful rural economic development projects in state history.”
