Ian Hirt, who has led the Ports of Indiana Burns Harbor since March 2017, is stepping down from the post.
Hirt, the Burns Harbor port director, leaves the post May 3. Ports of Indiana representatives said a new director will be hired to succeed Hirt.
“It has been an honor to lead the Northwest Indiana port that has an impressive 50-year history,” Hirt said. “It truly has been a pleasure to work with an outstanding executive leadership team, staff, tenants, commission and community partners.”
The Ports of Indiana said during Hirt’s tenure, the Burns Harbor port:
- Implemented numerous environmental initiatives including the adoption of its own stormwater management program authorized by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management;
- Received 2019 South Shore Clean Cities Sustainability Leadership Award for its work to reduce diesel emissions throughout the port;
- Received 2019 Northwest Indiana Partners for Clean Air Industrial Award for its work to improve air quality in northwest Indiana;
- Completed exceptional year of handling heavy-lift cargo in 2020, including cargo for a $1 billion power plant, one of the largest shipments in its 50-year history;
- Extended its partnership with Federal Marine Terminals, a nationally renowned stevedore company.
The Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor is home to 30 businesses. (Photo provided by The Ports of Indiana)
Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor also hosted Indiana’s first U.S. Navy vessel commissioning ceremony for USS Indianapolis.
“We are grateful for Ian's professional leadership and dedication to help grow Indiana's economy through notable project cargo shipments, environmental stewardship and partnership opportunities throughout the northwest Indiana port,” said Vanta Coda, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “As we work through this transition, we are confident our staff will continue delivering exceptional service to our port companies.”
The Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor has nearly 600 acres of land and 30 port companies, including 15 steel-related businesses and three steel mills. The port handles approximately 10,000 rail cars, 75 ships, 325,000 trucks, 450 barges and 200 Great Lakes vessels annually.
