Indiana River & Rail Terminals expands capacity

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. — Indiana River & Rail Terminals has expanded its capacity for handling barge shipments of steel and general cargo shipments at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville by 40%.

The Ohio River terminal operator raised its storage capacity to 350,000 square feet by leasing its fourth building within the port.

IRRT, a joint venture between Ports of Indiana and Superior River Terminals Indiana, is the largest general cargo operator on the Ohio River, managing seven buildings and serving 2,200 acres at two ports in Mount Vernon and Jeffersonville.

With consistent double-digit growth since 2022, driven by strong demand and strategic location advantages, IRRT is now poised to serve more customers and handle increased cargo volumes with expanded facilities and enhanced multimodal capabilities.

By late 2024, the port was nearing capacity for steel shipments, prompting IRRT to lease a 156,000-square-foot building within the Jeffersonville port.

This facility will supplement the existing warehouse capacity of 195,000 square feet, bringing the total operating footprint to just over 350,000 square feet.

“Indiana River & Rail’s growth reflects the strength of our partnership and the increasing demand for flexible, multimodal logistics solutions in southern Indiana,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock.

“We’re proud to support this expansion and ensure Jeffersonville remains a vital hub for barge, rail and truck shipments.”

This new capacity will include opportunities for Foreign-Trade Zone storage, heavy lift cargo and rail transload and support for higher volumes of barge, rail and truck operations, backed by a skilled local workforce.

The expansion positions Jeffersonville to serve a broader range of industries and cargo types, while offering the speed, reliability and service advantages of an agile port.

“We’re not just adding square footage — we’re adding opportunity,” said Jonathan Lamb, IRRT president.

“This expansion is about meeting demand and staying ahead of the curve. We’ve seen consistent double-digit growth since 2022, and adding new warehouse space ensures we can continue to serve our customers with speed, flexibility and reliability. Jeffersonville is ready for more, and we’re building the capacity to deliver.”

IRRT also operates a new outdoor storage facility created by Ports of Indiana’s Marine Highway grant, designed to accommodate barge shuttles for Nucor and other steel companies, which takes thousands of trucks off local highways and supports local jobs.

“Indiana River & Rail serves as a model of collaborative growth, combining the operational expertise of an experienced logistics company and the economic development mission of Ports of Indiana to deliver major returns for our region,” said George Ott, Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville ports director.

“Together, these partners are committed to delivering efficient, customer-focused solutions that drive economic development and global trade.”