The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is signing on to the Ports of Indiana's container initiative that could bring international shipping containers to the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor on Lake Michigan.
The Ports of Indiana and Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on expanding agricultural trade and creating new container shipping opportunities. The goal is to encourage more economic development across the Hoosier State.
“ISDA has helped position Indiana agriculture as a global leader in innovation and commercialization for food and fuel production, and our ports play a critical role in connecting our ag industry with world markets,” said Jody Peacock, CEO for the Ports of Indiana. “Our organizations and industries are inextricably linked, and we have several shared objectives and opportunities for collaboration that can create future growth for our state and agricultural communities.”
The Ports of Indiana got federal approval to open Indiana’s first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan. It signed an agreement with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to explore new trading opportunities.
Greater exports are expected to present an opportunity for Indiana's $35.1 billion agriculture sector, which ranks ninth annual. Indiana ranks 13th for waterborne shipping, with its ports on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River generating $29.9 billion in annual economic impact.
Ships that visit the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor often drop off products like steel, road salt or windmill blades and take grain from Indiana farmers to international markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway, which runs between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
“It’s an exciting time for Indiana and I see a bright future for our ag industry in the global marketplace,” said ISDA Director Don Lamb. “One of our shared goals is to make it as easy as possible for Indiana farmers and agribusinesses to market their products worldwide. By exploring opportunities to provide new container shipping facilities and better leveraging our ports, we’re taking a major step forward in giving our growers a long-term competitive advantage.”
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