On The Move: Kent Ebbing

Ports of Indiana has hired Kent Ebbing to lead the organization’s foreign-trade zone (FTZ) initiative, aimed at growing international trade in the state. Ebbing joins Ports of Indiana as its foreign-trade zone director following a 27-year tenure as the general manager of Greater Indianapolis Foreign-Trade Zone, also known as INzone. Ports of Indiana is the statewide grantee for FTZs and operates FTZs at its three ports.

“Kent’s arrival marks a strategic step forward in our mission to help Indiana companies better connect with world markets,” said Jody Peacock, CEO of Ports of Indiana. “Indiana is a leader in FTZ operations, and Kent’s expertise enables us to expand our foreign trade initiatives beyond current port shipments and develop new services supporting ocean containers, rail and all modes of cargo transportation.”

FTZs are secure areas that allow businesses to store or process goods and defer or reduce tariff payments until the products leave the zone. While Ebbing was at INzone, its business grew by more than 400 percent and partnered with Ports of Indiana to develop the state’s fast-track FTZ approval process.

“I am delighted to join the Ports of Indiana team at this exciting time as they launch new global trade initiatives,” Ebbing said. “The level of interest in FTZs is at an all-time high, and I am eager to help Hoosier businesses throughout the state leverage the benefits of FTZs and better compete in global markets. Ports of Indiana offers a unique set of tools that support Indiana companies, and combining FTZs with the development of new container shipments creates tremendous economic potential.”

According to a 2024 annual report, Indiana ranks seventh in the United States for FTZ impacts.