INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 17, 2024) – Ports of Indiana and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase collaboration, expand agricultural trade and create new container shipping opportunities for Indiana.

The primary purpose of the MOU is to establish a framework for enhanced collaboration, with the aim of promoting increased agricultural trade and fostering economic development for Indiana. The MOU outlines an agreement for the organizations to partner in the following ways:

• Encourage and support the expansion of agricultural exports through the state’s port facilities.
• Investigate opportunities to develop new container shipping facilities that would serve critical needs in the agriculture and hardwood industries.
• Connect key agricultural stakeholders with Indiana’s ports to explore new shipping opportunities and convene critical stakeholder forums.
• Research container export opportunities related to ISDA’s key priorities, including agricultural sand hardwood commodities.

“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 our industries are inextricably linked, and we have several shared objectives and opportunities for collaboration that can create future growth for our state and our agricultural communities.”

Earlier this year, the two organizations partnered with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council to conduct a trade mission to Indonesia and to host the first-ever Indiana Container Shipping Conference. Governor Eric Holcomb kicked off the conference as business, agriculture, and transportation leaders discussed ways to develop new container ports, grow agriculture exports and expand global trade to support Indiana’s economic growth. In July, Ports of Indiana received federal approval to establish Indiana’s first international sea cargo container terminal on Lake Michigan and signed an MOU with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges to explore new agriculture and container shipping opportunities.

“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 around the world. 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.”

Agriculture contributes more than $35.1 billion annually to the Hoosier economy, making Indiana the ninth largest agriculture state. Indiana ranks 13^th in the nation for waterborne shipping, generating $29.9 billion in annual economic impact. Ports of Indiana handles more than 4 million tons of agriculture products at its three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan, and those cargoes make up more than a third of the total shipments.

About Ports of Indiana: Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, Ports of Indiana is a self-funded enterprise dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system, and by serving as a statewide resource for maritime issues, international trade, and multimodal logistics. Information: www.portsofindiana.com

About the Indiana State Department of Agriculture: ISDA was established as a state agency by the Legislature in 2005. ISDA reports to the Lt. Governor, who also serves as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. ISDA is also a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. Major responsibilities include advocacy for Indiana agriculture at the local, state and federal level, managing soil conservation programs, promoting economic development and agricultural innovation, serving as a regulatory ombudsman for agricultural businesses, and licensing grain firms throughout the state. Information: www.in.gov/isda

Media Contacts:

Eric Powell, Ports of Indiana, (317) 233-6231

Regan Herr, Indiana State Dept. of Agriculture, (317) 552-9281