Record Cargo Volumes Reported at Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon
The Port of Indiana-Mount Vernon finished 2013 by shipping more cargo during the fourth quarter than any other quarter in the port's 37-year history. The 1.59 million tons shipped in October-December 2013 were more than the total annual volume for each of the port's first five years of operations.
"Because of the extremely strong fourth quarter, 2013 is one for the record books," said Port Director Phil Wilzbacher. "This was the first time our shipments exceeded 500,000 tons for two consecutive months, let alone three consecutive months. Coal, fertilizer and a record grain harvest were the primary reasons for the surge in shipments at the end of 2013."
For the year, the port handled over 4.15 million tons, up 21 percent from 2012. The significant increase in annual tonnage was driven by strong shipments of coal, grain, soy products and fertilizer. Coal was up 47 percent over 2012, while fertilizer shipments rose 42 percent and grain increased 38 percent from last year. Coal, grain and soy products made up approximately 75 percent of the port's 2013 shipments.
For the year, the port handled approximately 2,200 barges, 85,000 trucks and 26,000 railcars.
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