Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor earns ‘Pacesetter’ award for growing international shipments

PORTAGE, Ind. (Aug. 11, 2026) — Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor earned the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award for increasing international cargo shipments in 2025. The honor was presented by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. (GLS) at the American Great Lakes Ports Conference in Chicago.   

The port increased its international shipments through the Great Lakes Seaway by 5.8% to 362,100 metric tons in 2025, earning it a spot among nine U.S. Great Lakes ports honored this year. Collectively, the nine award-winning ports moved more than 4 million metric tons of international freight, accounting for 27% of all international cargo that traveled through the Great Lakes in 2025. 

“We are honored to be recognized with the Pacesetter Award for the 16th time,” said Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “This growth reflects the strength of Lake Michigan as a multimodal hub – connecting ship, barge, rail, and highway systems to move cargo efficiently across the Great Lakes region and beyond. Recognition like this reaffirms the vital role our ports play in strengthening America’s economy and allowing Indiana businesses to compete in the global marketplace.” 

The Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award was established in 1992 to recognize U.S. ports that increase international tonnage shipped through the St. Lawrence Seaway. The 2025 honorees were announced by GLS on July 31, 2026, alongside the Port of Buffalo (NY), Conneaut Port Authority (OH), Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority (PA), Port Green Bay (WI), Lorain Port and Finance Authority (OH), Port Milwaukee (WI), Port of Monroe (MI), and Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority (OH).  

GLS Administrator Mike McCoshen congratulated the nine 2025 Pacesetter Award recipients, crediting the sustained high performance to the strength of the Seaway System as a maritime supply chain and to the work of the Great Lakes port community. 

Located on Lake Michigan, Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor generates $4.63 billion per year in economic activity and supports more than 28,000 jobs. The port handles a wide range of international and domestic cargo, including steel, grain, and heavy equipment, and connects Indiana manufacturers and agricultural producers to global markets via the Great Lakes and inland waterways. 

“This award reflects the hard work of our team, our customers, and our partners who keep cargo moving through this port every day,” said Ryan McCoy, Port Director of Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor. “Our multimodal connections make growth like this possible, and this recognition reinforces the important role our port plays in the region’s supply chain infrastructure.” 

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About the Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award: The Robert J. Lewis Pacesetter Award is presented annually by the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS), a U.S. Department of Transportation agency responsible for the operation and maintenance of the U.S. portion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The award has recognized U.S. ports for growth in international Seaway tonnage since 1992. GLS supports more than 147,000 U.S. jobs and generates $26 billion in annual U.S. economic activity. Learn more at seaway.dot.gov. 

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