FEMA to fund security upgrades at Ports Indiana

Ports of Indiana has received more than $140,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to strengthen security infrastructure and assessment capabilities at the Burns Harbor and Jeffersonville ports, port officials announced today.

The FEMA Port Security Grant Program provides funding to state and municipal entities to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, enhance maritime domain awareness, improve port-wide maritime security risk management and maintain or reestablish maritime security mitigation protocols that support port recovery and resiliency capabilities.

The grants made to Ports of Indiana will support critical upgrades and evaluations that advance the safety and resilience of Indiana’s multimodal logistics network, port officials said in a press release.

At Burns Harbor, the $115,691 federal grant will fund the procurement and installation of advanced closed-circuit TV infrastructure at the port. The project includes installation of new lighting and fiber, which will enhance surveillance capabilities. The Ports of Indiana will contribute a $38,564 match to complete the project.

A $25,000 grant will support a third-party security assessment at the Jeffersonville port. The assessment will evaluate physical and cybersecurity, identify vulnerabilities, recommend improvements and produce a facility security plan. No matching funds are required for that project, port officials said.

“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to proactive security investment and operational excellence across Indiana’s ports,” said Ports of Indiana COO David Parrott.

Burns Harbor is served by Burns Harbor Railroad, which interchanges with several Class Is. Jeffersonville receives rail service from Louisville & Indiana Railroad and MG Rail.