First ship arrives at Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor

In another rite of spring, international commerce has returned to Northwest Indiana. The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, the Region's gateway to distant shores, celebrated its version of Opening Day Wednesday by welcoming its first ocean-going vessel of the season. The 413-foot general cargo carrier BBC Mont Blanc brought wind turbine parts to the deepwater Lake Michigan port in Portage and Burns Harbor. "The arrival of the first ocean ship of the new year is an exciting time not only for our port, but also for our port companies and numerous other regional businesses that rely on the cargoes these vessels carry," said new Port Director Ian Hirt, who started in March. "For northwest Indiana, the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway each spring is always a symbol of optimism because it reestablishes a direct connection to global markets and new business opportunities."