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About Indianapolis, IN
The Indianapolis Port and Depot plays a vital role in the transportation and logistics network of the Midwest. Though Indianapolis is a landlocked city, it serves as a major inland distribution hub thanks to its extensive rail, highway, and air connections. The city's intermodal facilities, including rail depots and freight terminals, help efficiently move goods between trucks and trains, reducing transit times and supporting industries throughout the region.
These depots are essential for handling large volumes of cargo, particularly for automotive, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors. The strategic location of Indianapolis at the crossroads of several major highways makes it a key player in national supply chains.
Indianapolis's population size, substantial import/export activity (especially in pharmaceuticals and automotive), efficient intermodal system, and diverse employer landscape all combine to generate significant demand for containerized cargo, influencing both container logistics and availability in the region.
Regional Economy in Indianapolis, IN
Population
Indianapolis City: Estimated at 874,037 in 2025, showing a slight annual decline.
Major Employers
Rolls Royce, Eli Lilly, Salesforce, Cummins, and Federal Government.
Imports and Exports
- Indiana, a major exporting state, recorded $59.9 billion in exports in 2024 (9th highest nationally) and $107 billion in imports (11th highest).
- Key Exports & Imports (2024): Hormones, packaged medicaments, vaccines, motor vehicle parts, and cars. Key Imports (2024): Vaccines, hormones, packaged medicaments, unclassified commodities, and motor vehicle parts.
- Logistical Impact: This large volume of trade, especially in pharmaceuticals, automotive parts, and general commodities, creates a consistent demand for containerized shipping, both inbound and outbound. This can affect container availability depending on the balance of imports and exports.
Intermodal System
- Indianapolis has a key intermodal rail terminal connecting directly to major North American ports via CN's network, offering a gateway for global trade.
- The system facilitates transport between the West Coast (Vancouver, Prince Rupert), East Coast (Halifax), and Gulf Coast (Mobile, New Orleans) to the Midwest.
- Logistical Impact: This robust intermodal system reduces reliance on truck-only routes, potentially easing road congestion and offering more efficient and cost-effective container movement. Its efficiency can significantly affect turnaround times and overall container availability in the region, offering a reliable link to international markets.
What We Love About Indianapolis, IN
While Indianapolis, Indiana, has many wonderful things to offer, The Indianapolis 500 is known worldwide as a premier driving event. It starts with 33 Elite Formula One Driver and ends with one bottle of milk. If you have ever watched a Formula One Race you know they can burn through numerous tires in one race and change a tire in less than four seconds. That’s a lot of tires. Did you know you can fit 1500 tires in one 20ft container? That’s a lot of rubber to burn...
Shipping containers play a crucial role in the car racing industry, serving as mobile garages, pit stops, and storage units for tools, spare parts, and even entire race cars. Their durability, security, and portability make them ideal for transporting equipment between events and providing a stable workspace at the track. Many racing teams modify containers into fully equipped workshops with lighting, shelving, and climate control, ensuring they have everything needed for quick repairs and maintenance.
You can use shipping containers in a similar way—whether for a personal garage, a secure storage space for vehicles and tools, or even a custom-built mobile workshop for motorsports and automotive projects.