Ports of Indiana and Cork partner on major green initiatives

A newly signed MOU between Ireland and Indiana envisions a green shipping route and new container service.
Indiana officials visited Cork, Ireland, to develop marine and air connectivity. The ports signed the MOU to work on economic, environmental, and technology efforts and investigate an Ireland-to-Indiana expedited container shipping service.

As reported, Ireland was Indiana’s top importer in 2023 with $20.9 billion, surpassing Canada and China. Pharmaceuticals and organic chemicals are Ireland’s top exports and Indiana’s top imports.

Containers are a key driver of the new relationship as both ports expand on recent container operations and investigate direct transit between Europe and the vast Chicago/Northern Indiana container market.

The Port of Cork opened a $102 million Cork Container Terminal (CCT), the largest marine infrastructure investment in Irish history. Phase 2 expansion is ongoing as the terminal has grown quicker than projected.

Ports of Indiana is expanding its Lake Michigan port by $77 million and opening Indiana’s first sea cargo container terminal at Burns Harbor in 2026 with federal approval.

Earlier this year, Ports of Indiana and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges inked an MOU to develop economic and environmental port activities.

The agreement formalizes a partnership to boost economic development, container shipping, decarbonization, port security, and technological integration.