Ports of Indiana expands aluminium handling with new bonded facility at Mount Vernon

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The Ports of Indiana have opened a new bonded storage facility at their Mount Vernon port along the Ohio River, expanding their capabilities and enabling their first aluminium shipment. According to Ports of Indiana, the facility was developed in around six weeks to meet urgent requirements from aluminium buyers and sellers.

The move comes at a time when the US aluminium market is seeing shifts in supply following the introduction of a 50 per cent tariff on all imported aluminium by the administration, including imports from US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) partners. With tariffs in place, some buyers have shifted towards imports from lower-cost producers such as Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. These shipments typically move through port systems instead of arriving via rail or road.

In this context, Ports of Indiana said its Mount Vernon site is positioned as “a competitive Midwest hub for duty-deferred storage of high-value commodities". However, ongoing tensions in the Middle East and shipping constraints in the Straits of Hormuz may affect these supply routes, which could prompt buyers to explore alternative overseas sources.

The first aluminium shipment arrived in late March, travelling by ocean vessel from Asia to New Orleans before being transported by barge to Indiana. The material is expected to be distributed to manufacturers across the Midwest for use in sectors such as automotive, construction and packaging.

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While the primary aluminium market has been most affected by the tariff-driven supply gap, changes are also being seen in aluminium scrap and recycled-content flows. This may create opportunities for traders in those segments to utilise the new facility.

“Opening a federally approved bonded facility within six weeks after a customer inquiry is unheard of in our world and a tremendous accomplishment,” said Jody Peacock, chief executive officer, Ports of Indiana. “The collaboration and efficiency of our port team, our terminal operator and US Customs is creating real-time supply-chain solutions and competitive advantages for our customers.”

The agency explained that bonded storage facilities are secure, government-authorised areas where imported goods can be stored without immediate payment of duties or taxes. This allows businesses to defer costs for up to five years, improving cash flow and offering more flexibility in supply chain management.

The Mount Vernon facility includes both indoor and outdoor storage, featuring a 20,000-square-foot warehouse and a one-acre storage yard. To meet federal requirements and address security concerns, the site is equipped with approximately 800 feet of fencing, along with surveillance cameras and controlled access systems. The port supports bulk and break-bulk cargo handling, with transloading across barge, truck and rail. It connects to five Class I railroads, has 10 barge berths, capacity for over 400 barges, and about 600 acres for development.

Jonathan Lamb, chief executive officer, Indiana River & Rail Terminals added, “This facility opens the door to new cargoes in metals, energy and technology sectors, and we see strong potential for continued expansion.”

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印第安纳港务局在弗农山港（Mount Vernon port）增设保税设施，拓展铝材业务

印第安纳港务局日前在位于俄亥俄河沿岸的弗农山港（Mount Vernon port）启用了一座全新的保税仓储设施，此举不仅提升了港口作业能力，还完成了首单铝材装卸。据港务局介绍，该设施从立项到建成仅用约六周时间，旨在快速响应铝材买卖双方的迫切需求。

这一举措正值美国铝市场因关税政策而面临供应格局调整之际。美国政府已对所有进口铝征收50%的关税，涵盖对象包括美墨加协定伙伴国。在此背景下，部分买家转向从巴林、阿联酋等成本更低的生产国进口。这些货物通常经由港口系统运输，而非通过铁路或公路。

印第安纳港务局表示，弗农山港（Mount Vernon port）借此定位为“美国中西部具有竞争力的高价值商品关税递延仓储枢纽”。不过，中东地区持续的紧张局势以及霍尔木兹海峡的航运限制，可能影响上述供应路线，或促使买家寻求其他海外来源。

首批铝材已于3月下旬运抵，其路径为：从亚洲出发经远洋货轮抵达新奥尔良，再通过驳船转运至印第安纳州。这批材料预计将供应中西部地区的制造商，用于汽车、建筑和包装等行业。

尽管受关税导致的供应缺口影响最直接的是原铝市场，但废铝及含再生材料产品的流通也出现变化。这可能为相关贸易商利用这一新设施带来契机。

印第安纳港务局首席执行官乔迪·皮科克表示：“从收到客户咨询到启用一座联邦政府批准的保税设施，我们只用了六周时间，这在业内闻所未闻，堪称一项巨大成就。我们港口团队、码头运营商与美国海关的通力协作，正在为客户打造实时的供应链解决方案，并构建竞争优势。”

港务局解释称，保税仓储设施是经政府授权的安全区域，允许进口货物在无需立即缴纳关税或税费的情况下存放。企业可借此将相关成本递延最长五年，从而改善现金流，并提升供应链管理的灵活性。

弗农山港（Mount Vernon port）的该设施兼具室内与室外仓储能力，包括一个2万平方英尺（约1858平方米）的仓库和一个1英亩（约4047平方米）的堆场。为满足联邦政府要求并解决安全隐患，场地配备了约800英尺长（约244米）的围栏、监控摄像头和门禁系统。该港支持散货和件杂货处理，可在驳船、卡车和铁路之间进行换装转运。港口连接五条一级铁路，拥有10个驳船泊位，可容纳超过400艘驳船，另有约600英亩（约2428平方米）的土地可供开发。

印第安纳河铁路码头公司首席执行官乔纳森·兰姆补充道：“这一设施为金属、能源和技术领域的新货源打开了大门，我们看到了持续拓展的巨大潜力。”

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