Irish agri-food exports could get boost as new Cork trade office opens
Irish agri-food exports to the US could receive a fresh boost following the opening of the first international trade office by Ports of Indiana in Cork.
The aim for the bold move is to grow cargo shipments and support the launch of a direct Europe-Indiana container service.
Ireland shipped cargo worth US$32.4 billion to Indiana during 2024, according to the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research, more than triple any other country’s total.
However, as most of these shipments did not use Indiana’s ports, Ports of Indiana is preparing to open its first container terminal.
It recently signed partnership agreements with Port of Cork, the fastest growing container port in Ireland, and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the world’s 13th largest container port, which offers existing liner service to Indiana for general cargo.
Maritime trade veteran, Brian Dooley, will lead the new European trade office, based in Cork and Kildare.
Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock said: “Europe is a critical trading partner for Ports of Indiana and establishing an Ireland office is part of our strategic growth initiative that will allow us to better serve existing customers and develop new container shipments between Indiana and Europe.
“The extensive experience and relationships that Brian Dooley brings to our team will help expand our existing liner service to Antwerp and provide more efficient direct shipments for Ireland-Indiana trade.”
New port trade office
Brian Dooley has nearly 30 years of experience in the maritime, logistics, and business development sectors.
He previously served as business support manager at Port of Cork for five years, and as operations supervisor at MTL Peelports in Dublin for nine years.
Prior to that, he served as assistant operations manager at Marine Terminals Ltd., for more than a decade and began his maritime career as a crane operator with Coastal Container Line Ltd.
Dooley said: “There is significant interest in Ireland and European markets about Ports of Indiana’s expansion plans and the opportunity to develop a direct container service with the US Midwest.
"I am truly excited to join the great team at Ports of Indiana and help develop new partnerships throughout Europe.
“Indiana has a unique port system and the trade connections with Ireland present a tremendous opportunity for future growth and creating efficiencies by better leveraging maritime transportation routes through the Great Lakes and US river system,” he said.
US opportunity
Ports of Indiana is developing the Burns Harbor Container Terminal on Lake Michigan to provide the only direct ocean container service into the largest US container market, the Chicago metro area.
Indiana’s three ports handle shipments for more than 30 countries through the Great Lakes Seaway and inland river system and contribute $8.7 billion in annual economic activity while supporting 50,000 total jobs.
Ports of Indiana is a state-wide port authority that operates three ports and 2,800ac of land on Lake Michigan and the Ohio River.
The fast-growing inland port system has doubled in size within five years and is conducting a $100 million expansion of dock, rail, and roadway capabilities.
Indiana ranks 13th among US states in maritime shipments, handling 50 million tonnes annually by barge, lakers, and ocean vessels.
