U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has approved a proposal from Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor to establish the first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan. This would create the only all-water container route for ocean vessels to serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area via the Great Lakes.

The Burns Harbor terminal is located in northwest Indiana, inside the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area and within sight of the Chicago skyline. It is part of the 25^th largest U.S. port, which handles 25 million tons of cargo annually and generates $16.6 billion in annual economic impact. The Chicago metropolitan area is the third largest in the United States with a population of 9.6 million people and is home to the largest intermodal container market in North America. Currently all containers moving through the Chicago market travel by rail or truck.

“This is a critical step in a long process to establish a container terminal at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor and a new supply chain for international container shipments,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “Having an all-water container route into the Midwest could create transformational opportunities, but it will take time to develop. Our port has the capabilities to handle containers today, but we won’t be able to schedule regular container shipments until the Customs’ facilities are fully operational, potentially in 2026.”

CBP approval was provided in a letter stating it has determined Ports of Indiana’s project justifies the need for a staffed CBP container cargo examination facility at the Burns Harbor port. Also, Ports of Indiana will be responsible for providing infrastructure construction to include a CBP office, equipment, furnishings, supplies, large scale non-inspection equipment, radiation portal monitors and security per CBP’s specifications. Construction and installation of the facility and equipment is expected to occur in 2025.

In support of this effort, Ports of Indiana has already garnered memorandums of understanding from potential partners as well as letters of support from other Great Lakes ports and more than 35 government officials, businesses and trade associations.

As facility planning commences, Ports of Indiana officials are seeking potential partners and customers to advance the project and will be engaging in a few select partnerships to formalize the initial development plans, quantify volumes and develop a scalable terminal that is appropriately sized to meet current and future demands.