Port Record by the Port of New Orleans, Highlights (July/August)

The Kearney Companies is pleased to share the great information that our partner, The Port of New Orleans, provides in their ongoing newsletter, The Port Record. News included below is from the July/August issue.

Louisiana Governor Appoints Joseph F. Toomy Chair of Port of New Orleans Board of Commissioners

Governor Jeff Landry announced the appointment of Joseph F. Toomy as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans July 2, 2024.

“It is indeed a privilege to be part of the leadership team for the Port of New Orleans as we continue the important work of creating more jobs and opportunities for our citizens. In order to maintain its role as a major economic driver for our region and state the Port of New Orleans must effectively utilize its resources to remain competitive in international commerce. As we embark on hiring a permanent CEO it is critical that our primary focus continue to be the development of the Louisiana International Terminal and its Transportation Corridor in order for Louisiana to remain competitive with Ports in other states,” said Joseph Toomy. “In addition, I will personally continue to encourage all the Ports on the Lower Mississippi River to coordinate their efforts in collaboration with the state’s economic development initiatives to expand international trade in Louisiana.”

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Aerial Image of Cargo loading at the Port of New Orleans

Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Legislature Commit $230.5 Million to Port NOLA Infrastructure Projects

The recent 2024 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature committed $230.5 million to Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) infrastructure projects including the Port’s new downriver container terminal, the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) and the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, which is envisioned to connect the $1.8 billion LIT to the interstate system and deliver a road that has long been sought after by St. Bernard Parish leaders and residents.

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Aerial Image of the Port of New Orleans along the Mississippi River

Port NOLA Board Chairman Joseph Toomy Convenes Leadership of Five Lower Mississippi Ports to Address Need for Increased Coordination

Louisiana’s 5 deep-water Ports on the Lower Mississippi River stretching from Baton Rouge to the mouth of the river collectively represent “one of the busiest port complexes in the world.” That, in of itself, would have been a strong marketing statement for our region but it was seldom used as the Ports traditionally operated entirely independent of one another. Nevertheless, in that traditional operating mode there were many more ongoing successes within the Ports than there were competitions among the Ports as reflected in our superior world ranking.

However, much has been said this past year by business and political leaders about the need for the Ports to coordinate efforts and not compete with one another. Most believe coordination of efforts by our Ports is critical to better compete with Ports outside of Louisiana. Clearly each of the 5 Ports has its own primary business focus whether it be petroleum, bulk, breakbulk, containers, or LNG. However, more coordination and cooperation among the Ports could at least achieve efficiencies in common operational issues.

The continued expressions of concern by Louisiana’s Legislative leadership and our Congressional delegation led to the convening of the 5 Ports on the Lower Mississippi River to create a dialogue to address the need for increased cooperation. The Executive Directors and Board Chairmen of the 5 Ports accepted my initial invitation last fall to meet and begin a dialogue. They have all continued to actively participate in that dialogue which advanced to a historic undertaking. The 5 Ports of the Lower Mississippi River in conjunction with the World Trade Center New Orleans contracted Martin Associates to conduct a comprehensive regional cargo study with the 5 Ports sharing in the cost.

There are two particularly noteworthy expectations of the contract with Martin Associates. First, the comprehensive cargo study is to identify new cargo opportunities for the region and, also, develop scenarios to capture that potential cargo. And second, Martin Associates noted that numerous similar cargo studies done at other Ports around the country formed the basis for a more comprehensive Master Plan. This would be consistent with the desire of our State leadership and Congressional delegation to best position Louisiana to expand international trade.

Over the course of our continuing discussions, it became obvious to all that a coordinated relationship among the Ports in collaboration with the State would benefit the Ports of the Lower Mississippi River individually and is critical to enhancing their collective posture in global markets.

Article by Port NOLA Board Chairman Joseph Toomy

The Port of New Orleans Acquires Coffee Drive Warehouse, Announces New,10-Year Lease with The Kearney Companies, Inc.

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The Port of New Orleans Announces Double Digit Growth for intermodal Rail Volumes

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