Ports agree to collaborate on Indiana-Ireland shipping route

The Ports of Indiana and Ireland's Port of Cork this week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that calls for the ports to cooperate on ma possible Ireland-to-Indian express container shipping service, as well as economic, environmental and technology initiatives.

Attending the signing ceremony were Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb and officials representing the Indiana and Cork, Ireland, ports. Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock and Port of Cork Interim CEO Donal Crowley signed the MOU.

The MOU includers:
• economic and port development strategies to increase trade in pharmaceuticals, dairy products, manufacturing, semiconductors, clean energy, life sciences and agriculture;
• decarbonization initiatives, such as developing a green shipping route between Ireland and Indiana to reduce supply chain emissions; and
• port security and technology integration for data collection, container scanning and cyber security.

Ireland is Indiana’s No. 1 importer with $20.9 billion in 2023 shipments, which is more than the combined total of Indiana's second largest importer, Canada, and third-largest importer, China. Top shipments between the Indiana and Ireland ports are pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals.

Port of Cork recently opened the $102 million (94 million euro) Cork Container Terminal, which was the largest investment in an Irish port in the last century. The terminal grew quickly, and an expansion is now underway.

The Ports of Indiana is completing a $77 million expansion at its Lake Michigan port and received federal approval to establish the state’s first sea cargo container terminal at Burns Harbor, opening in 2026.