CONTENTS P O R T S TA F F
executive director
deputy director
c h i e f
Paul Aucoin Roy Quezaire
o p e r at i n g o f f i c e r
airport director
Dale Hymel, Jr.
Vickie Lewis-Clark
director of a d m i n i s t r at i o n
Lisa Braud
director of business development
director of finance
Julia Fisher Grant Faucheux Tamara Kennedy
director of human resources
director of m a r i n e o p e r at i o n s
Brian Cox
special projects officer
Joel T. Chaisson
port of south louisiana 171 Belle Terre Blvd., P.O. Box 909 LaPlace, LA 70069-0909 www.portsl.com Phone: (985) 652-9278 | Fax: (504) 568-6270
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director ’ s log
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overview
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what ' s new The Port and its tenants work toward recovery.
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around the port Area businesses unite to support the community after Hurricane Ida. what ' s new Exploring the infrastructure bill and its potential impacts on the maritime industry.
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port briefs
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what ' s new Meet Jay Robichaux, the new leader of the River Parishes Tourist Commission.
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port raits
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port owned facilities
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port map
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final frame
globalplex intermodal terminal Phone: (985) 652-9278 port of south louisiana executive regional airport Phone: (985) 652-9278 ext 8512 a s s o c i at e d t e r m i n a l s Phone: (985) 233-8545 The Port of South Louisiana is a member of the Ports Association of Louisiana. To become an associate member of PAL and to help further the maritime industry in Louisiana, please visit PAL’s website at www.portsoflouisiana.org or call the PAL office at (225) 334-9040.
PUBLISHED BY RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING LLC
News highlights from the Port and beyond.
art director
Ali Sullivan
Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney
production designers
contributors
William Kalec Misty Milioto
To advertise call Meghan Sumrall at (504) 830-7246 or email Meghan@myneworleans.com. 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 • www.myneworleans.com Copyright 2021 The Port Log, Port of South Louisiana, and Renaissance Publishing LLC. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Port of South Louisiana, Post Office Box 909, LaPlace, LA 700690909. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the owner or Publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine’s managers, owners or publisher. The Port Log is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self addressed stamped envelope.
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DIRECTOR’S LOG
H
urricane Ida made landfall on the coast of southeast Louisiana on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina -August 29, 2021- as a strong category 4 hurricane. In its wake, more than one million Louisianians were left without power, partly due to the collapsing of a key transmission line over the Mississippi River. According to Entergy, the local power company, more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were knocked out of service. Ida and the subsequent power outages caused navigation interruptions on the Lower Mississippi River and the related maritime industry. Many facilities that had shut down just prior to Hurricane Ida’s passage had hoped to restart operations soon after but the uncertainty of power restoration kept those plans at bay. With Louisiana port facilities shut down, many in the agriculture and petrochemical industry kept a watchful eye on how long they would remain closed. Hurricane Ida caused considerable damage to Port of South Louisiana buildings and property. Few facilities came out unscathed, but most did not sustain the damage Cargill’s Reserve, Louisiana terminal experienced. Thankfully, outages were relatively short-lived and exports back-ups averted. As damage was being assessed, slowly but surely, operations started to come online. By Wednesday, September 1, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port set the port condition for the Lower Mississippi River to normal, with some navigational restrictions due to channel obstructions, grounded fleets, and wayward vessels. Port of South Louisiana’s Executive Regional Airport opened its runway just hours after Hurricane Ida cleared the area, into which several volunteer pilot associations from around the country flew with much needed and welcomed loads of supplies that were distributed locally. Later the same week, the airport was used by President Biden while surveying the damage to the River Region. Within a week, water was restored to St. John the Baptist Parish and within two weeks, for the most part, power was restored to industry and neighborhoods throughout the River Region. Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP), the largest U.S.
d. paul robichaux
judy b. songy
chairman
whitney hickerson vice president
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privately owned deep-water crude terminal, fully reopened its marine operations for imports and exports within two weeks of the storm. Organizationally, many Port of South Louisiana team members experienced damage or loss of homes and personal property. Their predicament necessitated a change in operating procedure, similar to that resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Because a few of our office buildings were uninhabitable, some employees were relocated to other office buildings or worked remotely. Those who were physically unable to report to work due to personal issues were allowed to work remotely or take leave. One thing COVID-19 taught us is that flexibility is key, allowing us minimize disruptions. The support to the River Region from our maritime family is heart-warming and, certainly, much appreciated! Once again and as usual, resident industry like Shell Oil Company, CRC, Marathon Oil Corporation, Greenfield Louisiana, and Valero stepped up to the plate to render aid to their respective community by providing supplies and/or services including, but not limited to, food resources, healthcare, fuel, base camps for electrical workers, and direct employee assistance. Port staff and their families, through contributions by American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) member ports, staff, and others, benefited from assistance by the organization’s Emergency Relief Fund, established following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to provide relief to many port employees throughout the hemisphere following natural disasters. The heart and soul of the Port of South Louisiana are the people who work in each of its sectors. We are beyond thankful for everything they do to make the port one of the world’s best. As families, businesses, and communities in southeast Louisiana continue in the recovery effort, the Port of South Louisiana vows to continue to transfer cargo reliably and consistently and will do everything possible to offer assistance to our port personnel, the maritime community, our industrial partners, and the people of the River Region as we travel together on the road to recovery from Hurricane Ida. •
vice chairwoman
katie klibert vice president
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ryan burks vice president
p. joey murray, iii
stanley bazile
treasurer
s e c r e ta r y
robbie leblanc vice president
louis joseph vice president
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OVERVIEW
ANIMAL FEED 3.7 (2.5%) WHEAT 1.1 (<1%) SORGHUM (MILO) + RICE 0.5 (<1%)
CRUDE OIL 51.9 (34.5%)
151.3
52.6
26.9
35.9
27.9
30.4
2020
2019
35.3
NUMBER OF BARGE MOVEMENTS: 29,268
2018
NUMBER OF VESSEL CALLS: 1,839
SOYBEAN 15.5 (10%)
34.5
(IN MILLION SHORT TONS)
2017
PETROCHEMICALS 18.6 (12%)
28.5
TOTAL TONNAGE: 151,309,153
28.1
37.8
PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA FIRST + SECOND QUARTER 2021
33.9
30.9
36.0
37.9
CHEMICALS / FERTILIZERS 9.9 (7%)
38.4
MAIZE 33.9 (22.5%)
2021
ORES / PHOSPHATE ROCK 7.5 (5%)
38.8
EDIBLE OILS / SUGAR / MOLASSES / OTHER 0.85 (<1%)
43.9
STEEL PRODUCTS 2.3 (1.5%) COAL / LIGNITE / COKE 4.9 (3%)
43.4
the St. Charles, St. John and St. James tri-parish regions.
121.9
127.7
the 54-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that runs through
38.1
1960 to promote commerce and industrial development along
24.6
The state legislature established the Port of South Louisiana in
149.1
153.6
T R A N S P O R TAT I O N C E N T E R OF THE AMERICAS
PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA TOTAL TONNAGE JANUARY – JUNE (IN MILLIONS OF SHORT TONS) EXPORTS
DOMESTIC SHIPPED
IMPORTS
DOMESTIC RECEIVED
PHILOSOPHY
FACILITIES
MISSION
The Port’s philosophy of development is to entice companies to set up regional operations within its boundaries. The Port serves primarily as a “landlord” port to more than 30 grain, petroleum and chemical companies. The exception to this is the port-owned world-class intermodal Globalplex facility SoLaPort, and the St. James Westbank property.
Within the Port’s jurisdiction, there are seven grain elevators, multiple midstreaming operations, more than 40 liquid and dry-bulk terminals, the Globalplex Intermodal Terminal and the Port’s Executive Regional Airport.
The Port is charged with a mission to promote maritime commerce, trade and development, and to establish public and private partnerships for the creation of intermodal terminals and industrial facilities.
WORLD’S LARGEST PORT DISTRICT
The ports of South Louisiana, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, St. Bernard and Plaquemines make up the world’s largest continuous port district. They are responsible for moving one-fifth of all U.S. foreign waterborne commerce.
PORT AREA
The Port covers a 54-mile stretch of the lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Port begins at river mile 114.9AHP near the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and winds through St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes. It continues north to river mile 168.5AHP just north of the Sunshine Bridge.
GOVERNANCE
The Port is under the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana and authorized by the state constitution. A nine-member board of commissioners directs the Port; all of them are unsalaried. •
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AROUND THE PORT
ON THE MEND BY MISTY MILIOTO
The Port of South Louisiana and its tenants work toward recovery after Hurricane Ida.
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perations have resumed at the Port of South Louisiana following the impact of Hurricane Ida, yet efforts to assess property damages, to form long-term recovery plans and to mend disrupted supply chains continue. The storm caused extended closures of grain terminals and ongoing extended closures of the Gulf Intracoastal Water way (GIW W ) between New Orleans and Morgan City; however, some projects, including the delivery of the Port’s two mobile cranes, were able to continue as scheduled. “Just about every building at the Port was damaged in some way, mostly from wind that caused damages to the roofs and sides of buildings,” says Paul Aucoin, Executive Director at the Port.
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“Most of the damage is f ixable. Both the Port and our tenants have begun to repair the damages, and we are accomplishing this by working around the damages.” Tenants within the Port of South Louisiana who sustained damage include Associated Terminals (the Port’s stevedore operators), Baumer Foods (manufacturer of Crystal Hot Sauce) and Natco Foods (manufacturer of poultry meats and other food products). Each of their facilities experienced damage to roofs, doors and wall panels, but business was able to continue after implementing short-term solutions. “The tenants, along with the Port, made temporary repairs to buildings,” says Lana Simon, administrative programs special-
ist at the Port of South Louisiana. “In a matter of days, the tenants were back in operation. The Port will make permanent repairs to buildings.” Sal LaCiura, Terminal Manager at Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, says Associated Terminals worked quickly after the storm to get back to work and prevent any additional disruptions to operations. “The majority of our staff returned to work within three days post-storm and assessed all damages and developed a plan to restore temporary power and to get repairs under way,” says LaCiura. “Three of our warehouses received signif icant damage, and one received minor damage. We utilized the warehouse with the least damage as the base for our
AROUND THE PORT
day-to-day operations to continue to meet our customers’ needs. We were able to begin operations in seven days and are now fully operational. I can’t thank the Globalplex team members enough for their hard work and commitment to get us back in action.” Despite an expansive list of internal needs to address, several companies within the Port of South Louisiana directed efforts outward to supply relief to the other businesses and the community in the immediate wake of Hurricane Ida. CRC Global Solutions partnered with the Port to distribute food to those in need. Meanwhile, Natco shared cold storage with other companies located within the Port to offset additional losses. LaCiura says the Port’s engineers have provided post-Hurricane Ida assessments; however, their ability to fully assess damages was limited by widespread power outages, meaning there might still be a long road ahead toward fully identif ying and repairing all facilities. “The engineers will likely amend the reports after complet-
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ing a second assessment,” Simon says. “Recovery is ongoing.” Aucoin says that, even with challenges, the unity and determination of the Port staff and aff iliated partners has been admirable as they work toward full recovery. “The response by the Port and the tenants has been amazing,” says Aucoin, “and I look for ward to the Port’s Globalplex terminal being fully operational sooner than expected.” •
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AROUND THE PORT
A COMMUNITY UNITED BY MISTY MILIOTO
Businesses band together to assist the local community.
B
efore, during and after Hurricane Ida—one of the most damaging hurricanes to ever make landfall in Louisiana— businesses and organizations throughout the River Parishes banded together to support the community with vital resources. As gas and supplies dwindled, Greenfield Louisiana stepped in to
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distribute both, while companies such as Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Magnolia Petroleum Company, Dow Louisiana, Valero and CRC Global Solutions paired with the Port of South Louisiana to provide meals, supplies and funding for St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes. “Following Hurricane Ida’s
Category 4 landfall on Aug. 29, it has taken a collective effort to support ongoing restoration and recovery efforts,” says Taryn Rogers, Valero’s manager of community relations and governmental affairs. “Valero stood ready to support our employees, community partners and our neighbors in Louisiana.” Once it was safe to do so,
AROUND THE PORT
Opposing page: Greenfield Louisiana gas distribution This Page: Norco Fire Department distributes Valero Fuel Cards
Valero jumped into action by deploying its own post-hurricane relief teams to assist employees with food, fuel and supplies, as well as equipment and labor to help with home repairs and debris cleanup efforts. Within one week of landfall, Valero provided employees with 9,400 meals, 35,000 gallons of fuel, 700 gas cans, 60 pallets of water or sports drinks, 200 chainsaws, 200 residential generators and 300 extension cords. The company also helped to repair 156 homes. “Not only did Valero respond to its employees, but the company also immediately responded to its neighbors and other members of the local community,” Rogers says. To aid in the community, Valero worked closely with St. Charles parish president Matthew Jewell and his team in the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center. Immediately after the storm, Valero coordinated and distributed nearly 5,000 meals to community members in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes, including
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AROUND THE PORT
the St. Charles Parish community distribution center, the St. Charles Parish Fire Department, the St. Charles Sheriff ’s office, the St. John the Baptist Parish community distribution center, the St. Charles Parish School System and the employees of the Army National Guard who were responding in St. Charles Parish. “We responded to the immediate needs of our Community Advisory Panel members and other fenceline neighbors by delivering ice, water, blue tarps and other supplies to homes,” Rogers adds. Valero also provided monetary donations to The American Red Cross in the amount of $250,000 for urgent needs such as shelter, cleaning supplies and other necessities to those displaced from their homes. Convoy of Hope also received $200,000 for distribution of hygiene kits, and Second Harvest Food
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Bank received $50,000 for meals. “In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, we contributed a total of 600 Valero fuel cards to St. Charles Parish Hospital workers, St. Charles Parish firemen and St. Charles Parish EOC/ staff members,” Rogers says. “In addition, we provided several tents and other equipment to organizations holding community distributions throughout St. Charles Parish.” Valero also made in-kind donations of items such as baby wipes to community centers like the one that United Way St. Charles held at the Valero River Parishes Community College. And on Oct. 5, Valero supplied volunteers from both its St. Charles and Meraux refineries to unload an 18-wheeler full of supplies. Volunteers organized the supplies under the distribution tents and handed them out to community members in need. “It’s vitally important to
protect our employees and the communities where we work and live,” Rogers says. “Valero considers our employees our greatest asset. So in times like these, we want to support them. In terms of the community, it’s important for us to keep a close relationship with our neighbors and St. Charles parish local government. We all share the common goal of making our parish a great place to work and live.” Meanwhile, Greenfield Louisiana supported the community by providing 20,000 gallons of gas and more than 4,000 hot meals. “At Greenfield, when the crisis hit, we knew our role in the community would be to provide food and fuel to those in need as quickly as possible,” says Cal Williams, chief operations officer at Greenfield. “We called all over the region to find available fuel and water and get it to the community as fast as possible.” Williams also credits Louisiana’s vibrant community for its support in helping recovery efforts. “The community turned to our emergency response teams for safety and shelter; our medical professionals for healthcare; our newsrooms for information; our policymakers for leadership; our non-profits for aid recovery; our pastors for faith; and our neighbors, friends and family for emotional support,” he says. “We all pulled together in this time of darkness to light the community.” •
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BUILDING BACK LOUISIANA BY WILLIAM KALEC
The Bipartisan Federal Infrastructure Bill co-authored by Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy could provide short-term and long-term benefits to regional maritime commerce and the state’s economy.
R
ecognizing the multi-faceted importance of domestic and international maritime commerce from an economic and national security perspective, politicians from both sides of the aisle have proposed, authored and passed legislation to directly and indirectly support Louisiana’s vital port system. In late July 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the ‘Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’ by a convincing 69-30 margin (one senator refrained from voting). Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy was one of five lead Republication negotiators for the bill, which, if signed by President Joe Biden, would represent the largest investment in infrastructure and coastal resiliency in the history of Louisiana.
In an op-ed Sen. Cassidy wrote for CNBC’s website on Sept. 24, 2021, he noted that analysts of the bipartisan infrastructure bill— which provides $550 billion in new funding—claim that the longterm spending on capital assets will improve economic efficiency, productivity, and the GDP without affecting inflation. “This legislation will create tens of thousands of new jobs,” Sen. Cassidy said. “The new bridges and repaired highways will shorten commutes. Rural broadband will connect and give all Americans access to Telehealth, online education and other benefits. Flood mitigation, weatherization and coastal restoration will protect against flooding and lower utility bills. Improved water, sewer and drainage will revitalize communities. This bill is good for Louisiana and the United States.” Specifically, the $1.2 trillion (total) Infrastructure Bill allocates $17.4 million for ports and waterways, such as the Port of Calcasieu, Port of Fourchon, Port of Baton Rouge, Port of New Orleans, Port of Plaquemines and the Port of South Louisiana—the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere. Roughly one in five jobs in Louisiana is connected (directly or indirectly) to trade, much of
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which revolves around goods and materials that traverse through Louisiana’s intricate Port system—especially those locations situated on the Mississippi River. Employers within the various Port Districts around the state create hundreds of thousands well-paying careers that generate billions in state and local taxes. Those numbers—along with several other valid data points— are the reason U.S. Rep. Troy Carter (D) from Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District has been a vocal supporter of this type of spending while the Senate bill has been debated in the House of Representatives. To him, there’s no better way to reinvest in Louisiana, and ensure that its bounty of natural resources—such as the Mississippi River—benefit the people of this state than by funding products that keep its citizens working and businesses thriving. “With the Mississippi River and the people of Louisiana working at them, our ports can out-compete anyone if we give them the resources,” Rep. Carter said. “This bill starts to do what we should have been doing for a long time, give funding to those who use our infrastructure everyday, and understand their weak spots. “By providing significant resources, not a Band-Aid solution, these knowledgeable entities can get the job done for the long-term.” Dirt-in-shovel infrastructure projects at Louisiana ports also assist the greater environmental good, as various studies have shown that transporting cargo via water leaves a substantially
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smaller carbon footprint than rail, road or air. Inland waterway transit is also pivotal for maintaining the nation’s food and energy supply. “The maritime industry is critical to our economy, our culture and our way of life here in Louisiana,” Rep. Carter said. “Waterways link our communities, provide food, recreation, and many people’s income. We are intrinsically linked with the maritime ecosystem, both environmentally and politically, and it connects us with our neighbors. “If we don’t invest in our maritime industry now, we risk falling behind and being outcompeted,” Rep. Carter continued. “We don’t have any time to lose. We need to invest now to protect our Louisiana livelihoods, ecosystems and culture for the future.” Beyond allocating funds for port-specific infrastructure additions and improvements, the bill also reinforces the Port of South Louisiana’s multi-pronged intermodal capabilities through road, rail, airport and bridge projects, along with coastal restoration efforts and flood protection. Specifically, $40 billion will be set aside to reinforce Louisiana’s bridges that surveyor rate as either in “poor condition” or are “structurally deficient.” The bill calls for the construction of Interstate 14, which will run from Georgia to Texas (weaving through Alexandria and Leesville in the central portion of Louisiana) and ease congestion and strain on Interstate 10. Close to $4 billion will go toward flood mitigation assistance and fund efforts to reduce repetitive dam-
age done to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. The majority of National Flood Insurance Program applications come from Louisiana. Finally, $17 billion will be given to the Army Corps of Engineers to address infrastruc-
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ture priorities across the country. In Louisiana, those priorities include several dredging and relief efforts: $808 million toward dredging the Mississippi River and its tributaries, $251 million for flood and coastal emergencies, and $109 to dredge and repair waterway damage caused by Hur-
ricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. “Our state has been through a lot, and we keep facing the same sort of issues, especially every storm season,” Rep. Carter said. “I don’t think we need to simply catch up, because then we fall behind while others are thinking ahead. I think we need to invest
in our state in a way that will allow our people and communities to better weather storms— whether they are storms of natural disasters, pandemics, or economic downturns. We need to Build Back Better and that means investing in the people.” •
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PORT BRIEFS
KLIBERT JOINS THE PORT COMMISSION On October 8, 2021, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced his appointment of Katie Klibert of LaPlace, Louisiana to the Port of South Louisiana Commission. She was sworn-in to the position in her home on October 12, 2021 by former Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Joseph Accardo, Jr. Klibert is a native of St. John the Baptist Parish and has lived and worked in the River Region for over 20 years. She is the Community Relations and Business Development Manager for Reserve Telecommunications (RTC) and currently holds positions on the River Region Chamber of Commerce Board, St. John the Baptist Parish Community Action, Civil Service Board, and the Louisiana Workforce Development area14 Workforce Investment Board -Chair. She is also a member of GNO Inc.'s NextGen Council, designed to introduce new leadership to GNO, Inc., and to develop business leaders with a regional perspective. “I want to thank my family and friends who have loved and supported me,” said Klibert in a Facebook post about the personal milestone. “In the midst of all of the chaos and destruction that hurricane Ida has caused St. John [the Baptist] Parish and to my home, I still choose to serve.”
PORT SEEKS ITS NEXT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR At the beginning of August, Port of South Louisiana launched the search for its next executive director. The board of commissioners has retained the services of Shey-Harding Executive Search, a woman-owned maritime transportation placement firm that conducts executive level searches for U.S. port authorities, to assist the port in locating its next administrator. The new executive director will play an important role in leading, facilitating, and collaborating on key industry and organizational initiatives including long range plans, project development opportunities, key partnerships and business relationships, and national and regional branding, and now, post-hurricane restoration efforts through engagement with industry stakeholders, governing officials, committee officials, board members and staff.
PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITS KAPS President Joe Biden visited South Louisiana on Friday, September 3 to assess damage caused by Hurricane Ida. He and his team utilized the Port of South Louisiana’s Executive Regional Airport (KAPS) to conduct aerial surveys. President Biden’s visit also included briefings with the St. John Parish’s Emergency Operations Center, delivering public remarks and conducting meetings with local officials including Gov. John Bel Edwards and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise.
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AIRPORT NEWS
ROBICHAUX AND THE RIVER BY MISTY MILIOTO
Jay Robichaux shares his plans as the new executive director of the River Parishes Tourist Commission
A
fter a nationwide search, Jay Robichaux has filled the role of executive director of the River Parishes Tourist Commission following longtime director Buddy Boe’s departure in June. In this role, Robichaux is responsible for leading a team of tourism professionals in the marketing of St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes—a region that is rich in history and culture. While Robichaux says that it is the people that he most loves about this special part of the state, which is also home to the Port of South Louisiana, it is the education that the RPTC provides that he most loves about his new role. “I was born and raised in the River Parishes, so it is the only home I know,” he says. “This position represents my home to
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the entire world.” Robichaux, who previously served as a School Board Member in St. Charles Parish, has now taken over where Boe left off. Last year, during the height of the pandemic, Boe and the RPTC began rebranding the region through a number of initiatives in an effort to aid and support local businesses, all while promoting the area to visitors. The rebranding included several initiatives to meet those goals, including making preparations to promote closed tourism attractions once restrictions were lifted, and using technology to attract stuck-athome travelers to the region once it was safe to resume travel. Robichaux is now overseeing the rebranding efforts. The region’s rebranding consists of three major initiatives: marketing local shops and res-
taurants to patrons within the parishes through TasteTheRiverParishes.com; partnering with attractions and businesses to film and photograph new content for StreaminOnTheRiver.com; and a new slogan, Louisiana’s River Parishes. Underneath the main slogan umbrella are a number of subbrands that have been tailored to visitors’ specific interests, including New Orleans Swamp Country, Bonfire Country, Outdoor Adventures, The Andouille Trail, 1811 Slave Revolt Trail and others. The first initiative—marketing local shops and restaurants via TasteTheRiverParishes.com—provides a listing of open restaurants, adjusted hours of operation, adjusted menus and more on a parish-by-parish basis. Local chefs also have hosted cooking demonstrations that were shown on the site. Through this initiative,
AIRPORT NEWS
the RPTC fostered new relationships with nearly 40 restaurants, all while providing much-needed information for visitors and residents alike. Meanwhile, the second initiative—to create new marketing content for the area—allowed the RPTC to reach stuck-at-home travelers who plan to visit the River Parishes. This was especially helpful for tourism entities (like swamp tours and plantations) that weren’t allowed to operate during the pandemic. However, many
of these tourism partners didn’t have new content to share. So, the RPTC helped to film and photograph new material that was then featured on StreaminOnTheRiver. com. It launched in May as part of National Travel and Tourism Week, allowing visitors to take a seven-day virtual vacation in the River Parishes. Finally, the new slogan, Loui-
siana’s River Parishes, replaces the two-decades-old slogan, New Orleans Plantation Country. The RPTC revealed the new slogan in July to coincide with the gradual reopening of tourist attractions, and it is now used in all new advertising and marketing materials. “While we are very proud to have our plantation homes and
the history they now tell, we are more than just what they offer,” Robichaux says. “Through the Andouille Trail and Taste the River Parishes, we showcase and market our restaurants and cuisine in our area. Through Bonfire Country, we wanted to showcase the traditions and amazement of the bonfires in St. John and St. James parishes. Through New Orleans Swamp Country, we showcase our amazing outdoors— whether it’s fishing, kayaking or zip-lining. We rebranded and created sub-brands so we could show the world what we have here.” Overall, the rebranding has been successful. Robichaux cites the fact that the hotel occupancy rate in the River Parishes has been 70 percent since May, which he says is higher than most of the state. He plans to carry the torch and to grow each of the subbrands individually. “I will also bring our stakeholders to the table and let them be a part of our decision-making on the future of tourism in the River Parishes,” he says. •
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NOVEMBER 20, 2021
RACE BENEFITS:
PLATINUM $2,000
Full Page article on your company in our Port Log magazine. Social media link to your company with a written post about your company. Logo on shirt, marketing material, race day banner and social media, 5 participant registrations.
GOLD $1,000
Social media link to your company's website with a written post about your company. Logo on shirt, marketing material, race day banner and social media, 4 participant registrations.
SILVER
Logo on shirt, marketing material, race day banner and social media
$500
CONTRIBUTOR $100
Name on shirt, marketing material, race day banner and social media
Logos will be sized for each level of sponsorship
List registration names as applies
As a sponsor for Runway Wobble race, please complete the form below, or for more information about the run, contact Lisa Braud at 985-652-9278 or email lbraud@portsl.com. Logos can be emailed to the aforementioned email. Sponsorship fees must be received one week prior to the race. Please send an invoice to my company at the address given below. Check Enclosed Sponsorship Level Amount Contact Name Company Address City/Zip Tel:
Email:
List company on all promoted material as: Mail form and check to Lisa Braud at the Port office (P.O. Box 909 LaPlace, LA 70069-0909). Make checks payable to Port of South Louisiana.
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P O R Tr a i t s
MISSISSIPPI MERMAID PASSES THROUGH THE PORT
Traci Lynn Martin stopped by the Port of South Louisiana on day 52 of her 55-day, Guiness World Record-setting kayak expedition down the Mississippi River.
GROWING PA RTNERSHIPS
Rickey Jackson, Port Executive Director Paul Aucoin, Mike Spears and Port Director of Business Development Julia Fisher entered into a cooperative development agreement between the Port of South Louisiana and Global Warehousing.
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P O R Tr a i t s
PORT PROGRESS Construction of the Port's Business Development Center is underway. The facility is located within Globalplex in Reserve and will be home to several Port departments.
Matt Gresham with the Port of New Orleans delivered an ice truck to the river parishes to help with Hurricane Ida Recovery. pictured with Julia Fisher, Director Business Development at POSL and truck driver from mobile AL.
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P O R Tr a i t s
Commissioner Paul Robichaux and Gary Smith of Magnolia Dredging pictured with World Trade Center New Orleans CEO Ed Webb. Magnolia sponsored a hot food giveaway in the river parishes for Hurricane Ida victims
Port of South Louisiana Maintenance Manager Joey Oubre assists in Hurricane Ida recovery efforts.
Port of South Louisiana staff assists in a food and supply giveaway with CRC Global for Hurricane Ida Recovery relief
Catherine Becnel retires from the Port of South Louisiana. Thanks for your service, Cat!
Lester Millet, Safety Agency Risk Manager for the Port of South Louisiana, leads an annual hurricane exercise with Port Directors and staff.
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P O R T O W N E D FA C I L I T I E S
GLO BALPLEX INT ERMO DAL T ERM INA L 155 West 10th Street, Reserve, La. 70084 P.O. Box 909, LaPlace, La. 70069 phone : 985-652-9278 fax : 985-653-0798 e - mail : info@portsl.com web : www.portsl.com contact ( s ): Paul Aucoin, Executive Director; Roy Quezaire, Deputy Director location : River mile 138.5 equipment : Two Manitowoc 2250 rail-mounted gantry cranes; 100,000-pound capacity weighing scale for trucks; 100,000 square foot warehouse; 72,000-sq. foot, and 40,000-sq. foot transit shed; and a 177,000 sq. foot paved open storage pad dock : 204 ft. x 660 ft. with upstream and downstream mooring dolphins. allow for dockage of panamax size vessels; 700 ft x 65 ft finger pier general cargo operators associated terminals ph : 985-536-4520 address :
mailing address :
GLO BALPLEX BULK DO C K P.O. Box 909, LaPlace, La. 70069 985-652-9278 fax : 985-653-0798 e - mail : info@portsl.com web : www.portsl.com contact ( s ): Paul Aucoin, Executive Director; Roy Quezaire, Deputy Director location : River mile 138.5 function : Transfer and store bulk, primarily cement fluorspar limestone and wood chips equipment : An 800 tons-per-hour continuous Carlsen ship unloader, a 1,800 tons-per-hour ship-loading system, 100,000 tons of cement storage in two storage domes, 70,000 tons of storage for flourspar in an A-frame building and approximately nine acres of paved open storage for wood chips and other products. dock : 507’ x 44’ with upstream and downstream mooring buoys to allow for panamax-size vessels mailing address : phone :
ADM RES ERVE 2032 La. Highway 44, Reserve, La. 70084 985-536-1151 fax : 985-536-1152 web : ADMWorld.com contact ( s ): Mike Landry, generale manager of commercial operations location : River mile 139.2 function : Grain export elevator. other : Fully automated address : phone :
PO RT O F S O UT H LO UIS IANA EXECUT IVE REGIO NAL AIRPO RT mailing address : physical
P.O. Box 909, La Place, La. 70069-0909
A ddress : 355 Airport Road, Reserve, La. 70084
985-652-9278 portsl.com/airport-services email : psl-era@portsl.com contact : Lisa Braud, Airport Director location : N30° 05.25’, W30°34.97 phone : web :
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P O R T O W N E D FA C I L I T I E S
PLAINS MARKET ING L .P. 6410 Plains Terminal Road, St. James, La. 70086 Craig Ellinwood phone : 225-265-2353 fax : 225-265-3171 web : PAALP.com location : Mile marker 158.6 function : Storage of petroleum products. address :
terminal manager :
S O LAPO RT West Bank industrial site acquired for development into an industrial park located adjacent to Dow in St. Charles Parish. Paul Aucoin (985) 652-9278
contact : phone :
MPLX L.P. (PIN O AK T ERMINAL S) 4006 Highway 44, Mt. Airy, La. 70076 Gregg Qualls phone : 504-533-8783 web : PinOakTerminals.com location : Mile marker 144.1 function : Storage of petroleum products. address :
contact :
PS L WES T BANK S T. J A M E S Paul Aucoin (985) 652-9278
contact : phone :
Property acquired for development.
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INDUSTRY MAP
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FINAL FRAME
Despite the disruptions caused by Hurricane Ida, the Port of South Louisiana's Globalplex Intermodal Terminal received two new Konecranes as scheduled.
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