Indiana ports, state officials sign MOU to promote ag exports

The Ports of Indiana and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand agricultural trade and create container shipping opportunities.

The MOU calls for the ports and ISDA to collaborate in the following ways:

• encourage the support of agricultural exports through the ports' facilities; 

• investigate opportunities to develop container shipping facilities that serve the ag and hardwood industries;

• connect agricultural stakeholders with the ports to explore shipping opportunities and convene stakeholder forums; and

• research opportunities for container exports related to ISDA priorities.

Earlier this year, the Ports of Indiana and ISDA partnered with two agricultural alliances to conduct a trade mission to Indonesia and host the first Indiana Container Shipping Conference. In July, the Ports of Indiana received federal approval to create Indiana’s first international sea cargo terminal on Lake Michigan, according to a Ports of Indiana press release.