A high-profile Belgian trade delegation, led by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, met with leaders of the Ports of Indiana on a trade mission exploring expanded container shipping between the U.S. Midwest and Europe.
The visit centered on the Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor, which is preparing for a new ocean container terminal designed to connect Indiana with European markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes. The port, located just outside Chicago, is a key logistics hub, with 600 acres of space and plans to activate 75 acres for startup container operations and services like packaging, logistics, and refrigerated cargo.
The partnership between the ports gained momentum last July when Ports of Indiana and Port of Antwerp-Bruges signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen economic and environmental collaboration. Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana, emphasized the growing relationship: “The Great Lakes provide a strategic connection between our regions, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is one of our most important trading partners in the world.”
Wim Dillen, International Development Manager for Port of Antwerp-Bruges, highlighted the mutual benefits of building new supply chain connections. “This trade mission demonstrates our strong commitment to growing trade with Indiana through new and innovative supply chain solutions creating a competitive advantage for our customers,” he said.
The Belgian delegation included key figures like Renaud Stiers of ABL DISSACO, Kris Havermans from Boeckmans, Michael Ganley of Fednav, Karel Sorgeloos of Flanders Investment & Trade, Steven Degrauw of PSA Breakbulk, and Lisa Vanarwegen and Kevin Veraart of TMA Logistics. Discussions focused on industries such as steel, chemicals, electronics, life sciences, and clean energy—all seen as areas ripe for trade growth.
The day’s events also included a presentation by Peter Hirthe of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Heather Ennis of Northwest Indiana Forum, and Matt Smolek of Logistec. The trade mission underscored the economic importance of strengthening transatlantic cargo flows, with Belgium’s Antwerp-Bruges handling over 290 million tons of international cargo annually and supporting 164,000 jobs. The Indiana port’s plans for ocean container service aim to tap into that potential, particularly for industries needing reliable all-water routes into the U.S. Midwest.
Ryan McCoy, Director of Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor, noted that the partnership is already identifying opportunities for containerized trade as well as bulk and breakbulk cargo growth.
