Chicago, the third largest city in the U.S., is preparing to open its first sea-serviced container terminal. The Ports of Indiana in Burns Harbor plan to unveil a new marine cargo terminal facility this year. The terminal, located in Portage, Indiana, just 20 miles from Chicago, will be the only water gateway for containers serving the Greater Chicago market via the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
The project is part of a $100 million expansion in Burns Harbor, marking the largest investment in the port since its opening in 1970. The broader plan includes new dock and rail infrastructure construction, as well as efforts to reopen one of the largest grain export terminals on the Great Lakes.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection approved the container terminal in 2024, paving the way for the establishment of a cargo inspection-equipped terminal. The Ports of Indiana provide a customs office, inspection equipment, radiation monitoring portals, and the necessary security infrastructure for international container processing.
The new terminal will feature 9,000 feet of docks, 10 vessel berths, and round-the-clock tug support. Its container capabilities will facilitate about 15 lifts per hour, a container management system operated by Logistec, 24/7 security, controlled access, and night vision cameras. The port claims it can connect directly to Europe, transit through Canadian ports, and offer barge links to the Gulf of Mexico. A trial shipment is scheduled for the end of the year.
The potential is significant. Chicago is the largest intermodal container market in North America, but all containers are currently moved around the region only by rail or truck. Burns Harbor asserts that the water route could cut up to 10 days off some container shipments from Europe to this market, while also reducing congestion and emissions.
