20 anchoring success
Lower Mississippi Ports Team Up for Comprehensive Cargo Study
22 executive regional airport
Preparations have already begun in anticipation of Super Bowl LIX week in February 2025.
24 port raits
28 port owned facilities 30 industry map 32 final frame
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Paul Matthews
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Patti Crockett
CHIEF OF STAFF Tamara Kennedy
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Brian Cox
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Micah Cormier
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Chambrel Riley-Williams
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Vickie Lewis
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Grant Faucheux
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Alexandra "Alex" Hernández
port of south louisiana P.O. Box AE Reserve, LA 70084 www.portsl.com
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executive regional airport Phone: (985) 652-9278 ext 8512
associated terminals
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Port of South Louisiana enjoyed great success in the the first half of 2024. Cargo movements, legislative wins, economic development deals and increased port collaboration were the highlights of Spring and Summer.
Our Louisiana Legislative delegation was successful in securing more than $20 million in Priority 1 Capital Outlay and State funding for ongoing PortSL projects that will improve our infrastructure and retain and create additional jobs. Senator Price also authored and passed a bill that will provide supplemental pay for the Port's first responders who keep the river safe. In addition, funding was secured to modify the West Shore Levee project to increase safety for PortSL's airport and allow for the future extension of its runway.
The session also saw the creation of a new commission with the mission to expand and improve Louisiana's Ports and Waterways. This increased focus on ports demonstrates Louisiana's commitment to collaboration that leads to commerce and economic growth. I have the great honor to have been nominated by the Ports Association of Louisiana and appointed by Governor Jeff Landry to serve on the newly created Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission. I am looking forward to working with Chairman Marc Hebert and Vice Chairwoman Julia Fisher-Cormier and other Commission members to advocate for all of our state’s ports and waterways investment interests, articulating a vision for the future through the development of a strategic plan and investment program.
I was also proud to finalize and execute a ground lease with Life For Tyres CEO Tilen Milicevic for a first-in-thenation tire recycling facility that will produce sustainable biofuels and high-quality raw material. This $50 million project will create 42 direct jobs and 250+ indirect jobs at our Globalplex facility in St. John Parish. This is an example of Port of South Louisiana leading the way in securing jobs of the future and reducing our carbon footprint.
Finally, the Port of South Louisiana is pleased to announce that Governor Jeff Landry has appointed P. Joey Murray, III as the new Chairman of our Board of Commissioners. A longtime representative of St. Charles Parish on our Board of Commissioners, Joey has served under five Governors and exemplifies the relationships PortSL has built throughout South Louisiana. We also thank Ryan Burks for his leadership as Chairman for the last two years. During his tenure, PortSL has seen back-to-back years of tonnage growth and record-breaking revenue. Ryan will continue serving on the Commission as a representative of St. Charles Parish.
I remain optimistic about Port of South Louisiana's future and I hope you enjoy learning about our new initiatives in this edition of PortLog.
Paul Matthews, Chief Executive Officer
The state legislature established the Port of South Louisiana in 1960 to promote commerce and industrial development along the 54-mile stretch of the Mississippi River that runs through the St. Charles, St. John and St. James tri-parish regions.
TOTAL TONNAGE: 57,635,106 (IN MILLION SHORT TONS)
NUMBER OF VESSEL CALLS: 906 NUMBER OF BARGE MOVEMENTS: 13,152
PORT OF SOUTH LOUISIANA TOTAL TONNAGE SECOND QUARTER COMPARISON (IN MILLIONS OF SHORT TONS)
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Port is under the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana and authorized by the state constitution. A ninemember board of commissioners directs the Port; all of them are unsalaried.
If there was ever a time for Louisiana ports and waterways to strategically pull together to attract greater investment and improve outcomes, it is now. Up until the last few years, the state’s ports have had enormous success on their own despite being managed by thirty-two independent boards. A significant reason for this success boils down to Louisiana’s geographical location situated at the mouth of the 2,350mile Mississippi River which connects 31 up-river states to the rest of the world through the Gulf of Mexico.
From this vantage point Louisiana ports and waterways have generated wealth for the state including tax revenue
representing five percent of the Louisiana annual budget. Our ports have employed more than half a million people and have provided for the generation of personal income totaling over thirty-two billion dollars per year. The sheer size of the port systems in Louisiana is staggering. The five ports on the lower Mississippi River alone form the largest port complex in the world.
But in 2019, Houston outstripped the Port of South Louisiana as the largest tonnage port in the western hemisphere and the Port of Mobile overtook the Port of New Orleans in terms of container traffic.
That’s why state and industry leaders think Louisiana needs a more unified, strategic mechanism for expanding on this success story to ensure we continue to attract national and international business and remain competitive.
“The five ports on the lower Mississippi River each have different capabilities and strengths and could truly complement each other if planning and development were more collective,” said Julia Fisher-Cormier, Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce, the agency whose programs are designed to strengthen multimodal transportation (ports and waterways, rail, aviation, and commercial trucking). “Geographic location is what draws opportunity to Louisiana ports, but a sophisticated plan is what lands them and creates the longevity that our citizens deserve.”
This is where House Bill 971 comes in.
Passed by both houses of government and signed by Governor Landry, the new law creates the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, which would serve as an advocate for the state’s ports and waterways, coordinating efforts to attract investment and boost international trade.
The bill’s author, Rep. Mark Wright of Covington, said, “Shipping follows the dollars. If other ports like Mobile or Houston do this work better and faster, Louisiana will lose out. There’s a mentality that says ‘we have the river so we’ll always get the business,’ but at some point we’ll lose business if we’re not more strategic about investing in large projects.”
Right now, the Port Priority Program serves all inland, coastal and deep-water ports, but its investment is limited to $15M per project with a $5M maximum allocation per year. This level of funding helps streamline basic infrastructure improvements to keep port operations running smoothly, but, as Wright said, “It’s not a big picture investment process.” To retain a competitive edge, Louisiana ports need to be organized and develop a shared strategic vision.
“The Port Priority Program works well, but the ports need more dedicated, recurring money,” said Fisher-Cormier. “The ports currently all operate on self-generated revenue.”
The proposed LA Ports and Waterways Investment Commission would bring stakeholders together to strategically guide and attract more state funding. Louisiana is currently the only coastal state in the South that doesn’t have a central body creating strategic plans and guiding port investment.
“Although ports and waterways represent twenty percent of jobs, we’ve never invested a lot of money in them,” Wright said. “We want to develop big projects, to make significant changes, especially when ports like Mobile and Houston are already doing this.”
The Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), a new $1.8 billion container terminal currently in the design and permitting phase, will allow larger ships to enter the Port of New Orleans making Louisiana more competitive for international cargo. “LIT is a great example of the kind of big picture investment the proposed Ports and Waterways Commission would attract, particularly for those ports that currently don’t have the ability to make that happen,” Wright said.
The new legislation will create a 13-member commission under the Office of the Governor whose chair will be appointed by the Governor. Commission members will include leaders from the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Economic Development, the Louisiana Railroad Association, and the Louisiana Motor Transit Association,
along with one member of the House of Representatives, one from the Senate, two members from inland ports, two from coastal ports, and two from deep water ports.
"Governor Landry has challenged all of us appointed to dealership to create change that produces results,"Fisher-Cormier said. “The status quo is no longer an option. We will make a concerted effort to make smart changes. This Commission will be a big step toward a unified effort to become the strongest ports system not only in the Nation but in the world.”
The bottom line, Fisher-Cormier said, is that Louisiana ports can no longer simply assume they can remain competitive without strategically pursuing opportunities for investment and growth. “If development continues in each silo, the state will continue to see lost tonnage, lost jobs and lost revenues,” she said.
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor, Mike Waguespack, backs this approach. A key recommendation of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s performance audit Louisiana’s public Ports System - Comparison to other Southern Coastal States
and Recommendations for Improvement, which came out in January this year, calls for the creation of a strategic body like the LA Ports and Waterways Investment Commission.
“The strategic plan that will result from the Commission will be the road map for the Multimodal Office to create a new program, determine funding needs and support the large-scale growth we need to see to compete globally,” Fisher-Cormier said. “Thankfully, Louisiana has leaders in our legislature like Representative Wright, and Senators Connick and McMath, who have put ports at the forefront for the past several years.”
For Fisher-Cormier, the importance of our ports was also brought to light through Governor Landry’s transition council discussions and findings.
With Bill 971 having been signed into law, the groundwork for creating the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission has been done. “The foundation of our economy is based on our strength in ports and all of the pieces are in place to achieve the success Louisiana ports are capable of,” Fisher-Cormier said.
Dumas is a new member of the board having started this past year. But she said her prior work experience at Entergy prepared her well for her role as a commissioner. “My experience and Stanley Bazile watched me grow for over 10 years, and working with the port at Entergy peaked my interest as to how to become a commissioner,” Dumas said. “So when asked, I accepted.”
A resident of Donaldsonville in St. James Parish, Dumas said she knows the history of the community that can add to the Port. She was chosen as “Volunteer of the Year” for the St. James Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana because of her commitment to giving back to St. James Parish.
Dumas said she’s “so glad to have the opportunity to serve and be chosen as the first African-American woman as a commissioner,” and looks forward to networking and developing relationships with new and returning commissioners to ensure that “we prosper and are the best we can be.”
Jason Duhe considers it an honor to serve as a commissioner. “I have had the privilege of working 33 years in the upstream global oil and gas industry for major oil and gas companies,” he said. “A broad range of global experience with a variety of senior leadership roles spanning from engineering through strategic business growth globally, positions me well with my commissioner colleagues to help strengthen steering and decision quality, and bring sustainable growth opportunities to the CEOr and his staff to execute.”
Duhe said he actually wasn’t looking for the role when the opportunity came knocking. “It wasn’t something that was on my radar, however civic duty should be on everyone's agenda,” he said. “An unexpected vacancy came open, and our community leaders reached out and asked for my consideration, and I welcomed the opportunity to support a cause that directly touches our local people and economy and United States security of commodities and goods.”
Regardless of whatever role he holds, Duhe said his agenda is to “create a legacy where the people, community, and businesses are better than when I arrived.”
Joey Murray goes way back with the Port. He’s been in the design, development and construction business for most of his life. “My first appointment to serve on the board of commissioners of the Port of South Louisiana was during Governor Mike Foster’s Administration and I have been reappointed under Governors Blanco, Jindal, Edwards and Landry,” Murray said.
He said one of his strongest skill sets is listening, learning and communicating. For Murray, the role of commissioners is similar to a member of a board of directors. “We, as a board, must understand and be a part of the larger discussion of the direction of this port, setting policy and direction,” he said. “I believe that each commissioner was selected and appointed based on their experience and ability. Each of the commissioners today bring their own skillsets to the board. Every decision we make should lead to a better path for the port district.”
Originally from Michigan, Julie Hebert moved down south after “marrying into a family of lifelong Louisiana residents born on the waterways of this great state.” Hebert is the owner and permitting specialist of Coastal Permitting, an environmental consulting group. She said that although her work is based in St. Charles Parish and covers the entire state, much of their recreational time is spent is on the beautiful river systems and Gulf Coast that transport products throughout the State of Louisiana and the world.
Hebert is newly appointed to the Port as a commissioner and said that she’s “humbled and honored” for the position. She looks forward to working with the staff and her fellow commissioners. “I have a long history of being able to bring people together to work towards common goals and win-win solutions,” she said. “I see tremendous potential for growth at the Port and I think my experience and business acumen have the potential to help proactively facilitate, create and reinforce the polices necessary for the growth of the Port of South Louisiana that will benefit our River Region, State of Louisiana, and ultimately world commerce.”
Joseph has been serving on the board of Port of South Louisiana for almost 25 years. He said his dad taught him politics, and he thought it was a good opportunity to do some good. But he admits he was nervous in the beginning. “In the end, I feel good and have helped the Port grow over the years, holding every position except secretary,” Joseph said.
Joseph said he’s excited about the future of the Port. “We have some energy in our staff, including Paul,” he said. “He’s very creative and he’s a go getter and the commission we have, we will do great things.".
For Joseph, the Port is poised to go to another level with “what we have right now. We can’t look back, we have to go forward. The only decisions have to be great decisions, and it’s time to take chances without being afraid of risk.”
He said that when he started in 1998, he never dreamed that what the Port has become was possible. “There’s been a lot of growth and we learn from each other and communicate,” he said. “Communication can take you a long way.”
Robbie LeBlanc is a people person. He always has been. He said his experience networking is what made him feel like the Port would be a good fit when he was appointed as a commissioner by the governor. “I wanted to be a part of a great organization,” he said. “I see this organization as a huge economic development for both region and state as a whole.”
LeBlanc said he’s “honored and thrilled” to serve as commissioner and his main goal is to leave the Port better than when he found it and “help move the Port in a direction to expand, reach and expand economic development, create jobs, not only keep it rolling but increase our capacity that would benefit our region and state — continue to feed the world.”
“The future is very promising and collaboration between the Louisiana ports will help unify and benefit us all,” LeBlanc said. “The potential for new business and industry is great in the region.”
Burks has served as a commissioner since May of 2020 — taking the job in the midst of a global pandemic. He said when his parish president asked him, he heeded the call because he felt it was his civic duty.
A native of St. Charles Parish, Burks grew up in New Sarpy and Destrehan. He brought a ton of experience with him to the job. “I’ve been in various leadership positions in other organizations for the past 20 years such as corporate CEO, Board Chairman and Committee Chairman,” Burks said.
Burks said he considers his strongest skills to be “team building, coordination and leadership” — all of which are vital to being an effective commissioner. He plans to continue using his skills to improve the efficiency of port operations, build infrastructure and operational capacity to bolster the economic impact of the Port.
“The Port of South Louisiana will be a flagship port for the Louisiana and the Gulf region,” Burks said. “There is a tremendous amount of agricultural and industrial impact that we have on the world economy which will only get greater.”
Stanley Bazille started his career asa carpenter at Boh Brothers Construction Company. From there, he worked as an operator at Kaiser Aluminum for 10 years and then LaRoche Chemicals for 15 years, retiring in 1999. He’s been serving as a commissioner for 12 years.
Bazile was born the sixth of nine children on the former Chopin Plantation in St. James Parish. As a child growing up in the “Moonshine” area, he was affectionately called “Lollypop” and “Stan” by many.
Bazile was the first African-American Constable of Ward 6 in St. James Parish serving 2 terms. He’s the past state Secretary of St. John Grand Lodge of Louisiana, Magnolia Lodge, Past President of the Southern University River Parishes Quarter Back Club, Chairman of the MLK Foundation, Board of Trustees member of the Highways Baptist Church in Vacherie.
Bazile said he’d like to see the dredging of the Mississippi River so that shipping containers can come up to the Port, and plans to continue working with the CEO, staff and commissioners to grow and build the Port.
Joseph M. Scontrino, representing St. John Parish, brings extensive experience in real estate and construction to his role as Executive Vice President of the Port of South Louisiana Commission. A native of the New Orleans area, Scontrino has dedicated much of his life to serving his community. Appointed to the board three years ago, he continues to leverage his expertise in economic development to benefit the port and its surrounding areas.
In addition to his role on the commission, Scontrino owns and operates a successful building and development company established in 1992. His passion for civic involvement is evident through his past work with the Louisiana Housing and Finance Authority, and his contributions to projects like the St. John Airport development highlight his commitment to local economic growth. Scontrino’s vision includes enhancing transportation infrastructure and expanding port facilities to accommodate larger ships, ensuring the port remains competitive.
BY MISTY MILIOTO
The Port of South Louisiana is helping to shape the future of the maritime industry.
The Port of South Louisiana, along with a number of partners, is working on initiatives to engage students with the maritime industries. These initiatives include everything from hiring student interns at the Port, to working with other companies and colleges to educate students on different facets of the industry. Here are just a few ways that the Port is educating future generations.
The Port of South Louisiana has hired student interns for many years as a way to introduce college students to careers in the maritime industry, all while providing valuable work experience. According to Tamara Kennedy, who has worked at the Port for 10 years and is now in her new role as Chief of Staff, said that the Port currently has seven interns. “They typically [work] for varying periods of time during the summer months,” she said. “The majority of our interns are rising college juniors or seniors.”
During their time at the Port, student interns learn skills that prepare them for the workforce, such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork. “They work in several of our departments within the Port, including marine operations, information technology, human resources, administration, procurement and public relations,” Kennedy said. “Our interns are hired and treated as any newly hired employee. They work alongside an employee mentor who assigns duties to help them become leaders within our organization, and to assist them in developing critical-thinking and communication skills.”
For example, a current public relations intern— who will soon be joining the Port as a full-time employee—gained valuable experience in writing press releases. Another intern is responsible for responding to employee requests for IT assistance.
“The internships are designed to introduce students to all careers within the maritime industry, even career paths that [they] may not have considered,” Kennedy said. “Having these internships are vitally important, because, as a nation, we are seeing a generational shift as long-tenured [employees] retire and leave position vacancies. The internships supply the Port with a pipeline of candidates who will have the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful in our positions.”
Students who are interested in interning at the Port can contact Tamara Kennedy in March at 985-6529278 or tkennedy@portsl.com. The Port will accept its next group of interns next summer (May-August).
Kate Whitehead, assistant director of career success at River Parishes Community College, works with industry partners to develop, manage and maintain work-based learning opportunities, such as apprenticeships and internships, for RPCC students in all programs of study. For example, Tech Academy, which is located next door to RPCC’s main campus in Gonzales and plays a major role in RPCC’s energy sciences programs, is a collaborative organizational effort between RPCC’s academic and workforce divisions, and BASF.
“Tech Academy is funded by BASF and is free for student participants,” Whitehead said. “Participants are rising high school juniors and seniors in Ascension Parish, or are the child of a BASF employee or contractor. Participants learn about technical careers during hands-on classroom activities at RPCC in the morning and field trips in the afternoon to see the careers in action.”
BASF also is a major contributor to RPCC’s Process Equipment Trainer Plant. “The PET Plant started when BASF sent a team into its Geismar facility to disassemble a three-story working distillation unit and moved it to RPCC’s Gonzales campus,” Whitehead said. “The unit is the heart of the process technology training program, giving students life-sized operation and maintenance experience, including the ability to troubleshoot problems and simulate real-world plant scenarios.”
In June, 27 students from Ascension Parish high schools visited Tech Academy to learn about careers in drone technology, welding, heavy equipment operations, process technology, and instrumentation and electrical technology. The week-long visit included field trips to the Port of South Louisiana, Ascension Roofing and Fabrication, Triad Controls and NASA Stennis Space Center.
“The visit to the Port of South Louisiana was one of the highlights of the week,” Whitehead said. “Every industry partner that we visited during the week depends on the Port of South Louisiana to transport goods and services in order for their business to operate. We wanted the Tech Academy students to have a holistic experience and see the infrastructure that literally is fueling the world. When students see the scale of the Port of South Louisiana and begin to realize the strategic importance of industry along the Mississippi River in our modern lives, they begin to understand why Louisiana is at the forefront of the energy transformation—and how that translates into their future career opportunities in the River Region.”
We Work the Waterways (formerly known as We Work the Rivers) is spearheaded by Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals and is a collaborative effort between maritime, shipping and logistics professionals at all levels; schools; local governments; and businesses. The program is offered to students throughout the nation to provide resources for their future professional development in the maritime industry.
Errin Howard, director at Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals, directs social media efforts, and strategizes and coordinates Industry Interaction Days across the country to promote WWW. She also oversees daily operations, manages the acquisition of new sponsors and maintains relationships with supporters. “Propelled by the strategic importance of our waterways and their ecosystems, and the people who make up the maritime, shipping and logistics communities, We Work the Waterways exists to build lasting connections—fostering an appreciation of the industry and the environment, and an awareness of economic opportunities,” she said.
WWW does so through a number of initiatives. For starters, WWW champions sustainability and environmental responsibility. The program also promotes an awareness of the waterways—and the industries connected to them—to students at all levels through age-appropriate educational programming. WWW also spotlights highperforming individuals at every level of the industry, and mobilizes maritime professionals with opportunities to connect and share their stories. WWW also builds lasting relationships between educators, students, industry partners, trade organizations, and government and community leaders. Finally, the program prepares students to make post-graduate career plans, thereby increasing the size and quality of the available workforce for industry partners.
WWW engages students across various grade levels nationwide through targeted initiatives. “These efforts ensure a comprehensive approach to educating and inspiring students across different educational stages about the maritime industry’s importance and career opportunities,” Howard said.
For example, the Elementary Program (designed for grades 3-6) includes a structured outline and materials provided to supporters who then conduct sessions in local schools or institutions. Supporters often organize field trips to facilities integral to the maritime industry.
Meanwhile, the Future Initiatives Program (in collaboration with an advisory council made up of industry professionals from various backgrounds), is developing programs for middle school students. Additionally, an Educate the Educator program is being created to equip teachers with resources to integrate maritime education into their curricula.
Finally, the High School Program features Industry Interaction Days that are tailored for high school juniors and seniors in communities supported by
WWW. “Through our Industry Interaction Day Programs, we facilitate joint efforts to engage thousands of students annually, equipping them with essential resources for their career development,” Howard said.
Since its inception, WWW has conducted 28 programs nationwide (reaching more than 6,500 students and involving 260 educators from more than 70 schools). “We emphasize the abundant career opportunities available in maritime, shipping and logistics, stressing the importance of soft skills essential for future job interviews and employment success,” Howard said.
In addition to teaching soft skills (such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities), WWW introduces students to the current maritime workforce, providing them with insights into various roles and career paths available. WWW also is adding an overview of maritime careers on its website, where students can access information like the skills or education required for each position, average salary ranges, a typical day in each career and connections to potential employers. Of equal importance, WWW aims to empower students, and foster a sense of belonging and enthusiasm for potential careers in the industry.
WWW has numerous success stories wherein program alumni have secured employment within the maritime industry. For example, WWW recently started a Community Connects segment on social media to share impactful stories and success narratives from WWW. The first post featured a touching moment during an Industry Interaction Day at the Port of South Louisiana. In it, a grandfather employed by Cargill was able to share his passion for his job with his grandson during a program tour. “This story resonates with our audience by illustrating how our program fosters family connections and inspires the next generation’s interest in maritime careers,” Howard said.
BY KELLY HITE
Spanning 54 miles on both sides of the Mississippi River, the Port of South Louisiana is the second-largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere. For two consecutive years, the Port has seen increases in tonnage and revenue and this trend is projected to continue as the Port forges ahead with strategic expansions and improvements, particularly at its world-class, 335-acre Globalplex Intermodal Terminal on the east bank of the Mississippi River in Reserve, Louisiana.
“Globalplex is run like an Industrial Park with multi modal access,” said Micah Cormier, Director of Business Development and External Affairs at the Port of South Louisiana. The facility handles vessels and barges and has two major rail lines running through it. In addition, it provides warehousing and storage for bulk and break-bulk, cargo, and leases space to manufacturing, logistics and distribution companies.
“We are a government entity but operate with a business mentality,” Cormier said. “While we follow rules, regulations, and laws, we are constantly innovating and respond quickly to changes in the global economy. We actively engage with engineers and designers to improve our facilities and we are aggressively pursuing expansion and improvement projects.”
The largest of these projects is the construction of a second dock access bridge leading to the Globalplex general cargo dock. Currently trucks use the same bridge for ingress and regress. The new access bridge will substantially improve efficiency by allowing simultaneous ingress and regress flow enabling trucks to follow a circular route. This will not only optimize cargo transfer efficiency, but will also provide greater access for heavy loads including oversized equipment.
Another major Globalplex project involves the expansion of the NATCO Food Service cold storage facility. NATCO is a fourth-generation family business specializing in meats but has also expanded its product line to dry goods, milk, dairy, and eggs. Most restaurants in the area get their steaks, for example, from NATCO Food Service. The expansion of their facility will allow NATCO to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for their products and services.
Baumer Foods, the third-generation family business that produces Crystal Hot Sauce, will have its Globalplex facility modernized to improve and expand their manufacturing and production capabilities, ensuring everyone’s demand for Crystal Hot Sauce products are met.
“At the Port of South Louisiana, we have made environmental sustainability a pillar in our mission as we seek private investments that not only create jobs for River Region families, but are also safe for our community,” said Paul Matthews, CEO of the Port of South Louisiana.
Two major projects, in particular – H2theFuture and L4T Louisiana – will go a long way in helping the region achieve its carbon management goals while retaining and creating jobs for the local community.
Led by the Greater New Orleans Development Foundation, H2theFuture has partnered with twenty-five organizations to build a clean hydrogen energy cluster aimed at decarbonizing the southern Louisiana industrial corridor. The Port of South Louisiana is planning a Hydrogen Fueling Barge to accommodate the refueling requirements for the hydrogenbased, methanol-fueled vessels designed to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to H2theFuture goals. This project will contribute to the creation of new career opportunities while protecting the environment in South Louisiana.
Life for Tyres Group Limited (L4T) is Europe’s largest endof-life tire recycling company and in February 2024 it announced an investment of $46 million to establish its first U.S. processing facility on 10 acres at the Port of South Louisiana. It will convert end-of-life tires into high-quality sustainable commodities. L4T says its patented approach reduces up to 90% of greenhouse gas emissions when compared with conventional tire recycling processes.
When the Life for Tyres partnership with the Port of South Louisiana was announced, Governor Jeff Landry said it was a “new project is a perfect example of the power of the ports to drive investment and job creation in Louisiana.”
Other projects on the radar include improvements to the Building 71 Floor & Belt system, the W. 10th Street Property Acquisition and Guard Station projects, Rail Spur improvements, and a Guesthouse Rehabilitation project.
The biggest challenge to improvement projects is the rising cost of materials and resources experienced across the board. To address this, instead of attempting to achieve everything on a long wish list of projects, the Port of South Louisiana is zeroing in on those projects that can be funded now and that will provide the best return on investment for the local economy.
“Through relentless innovation and strategic leaps, we’re scripting a narrative of growth,” Matthews said. “Our team is focused on strengthening our partnerships with global shippers and industry along the Mississippi River.”
Physical and cybersecurity are also vitally important factors. The Port of South Louisiana covers 54 miles of river forming a critical section of the super maritime highway that services 31 states and two Canadian provinces. The Port’s top trading partners for exports include China, Japan, Colombia, Mexico, and the Netherlands while, for imports, top trading partners include Jamaica, Brazil, China, Peru, and Mexico. With such a large percentage of the nation’s cargo moving through the Port, physical and cybersecurity risks can have a national and global impact. That’s why every project is carefully funded to not only increase the efficiency and profitability of the Port, but also to ensure improved security to cargo, equipment, infrastructure, and personnel.
To attract a new cohort of talent, the Port of South Louisiana in March 2024 hosted hundreds of local high school students participating in the Inland River Ports and Terminals’ (IRPT) We Work the Waterways program which builds lasting connections between communities and the people who make up the maritime, shipping, and logistics industries. The program aims to foster appreciation of south Louisiana waterways and give young people an insight into career opportunities in the industry. And with projects like H2theFuture and L4T Louisiana, the opportunities to create a greener, more efficient region will only grow.
“We at the Port of South Louisiana are proud to be putting shovels in the ground to get these important projects started,” said Cormier.
BY FRITZ ESKER
The Port of South Louisiana, the Port of New Orleans, Plaquemines Port, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, the Port of St. Bernard have collaborated to initiate a comprehensive study on commodity cargo.
These five ports are critical components of the local, regional, and national economies.
“The Lower Mississippi River is one of the most commercially significant waterways in the world, home to four of the top 15 ports by tonnage in the United States, handling together more than 500 million tons of cargo annually,” said Jay Hardman, executive director of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. “Every type of cargo is handled between public and private facilities, including bulk, general break bulk cargo, oversized project cargo and containers.”
In addition, Hardman said, a robust cruise business serves international markets and Louisiana communities by inland cruise operators.
The study came after months of meetings of the Southeast Louisiana Port Authority Advisory Commission, which was comprised of leaders of the five Lower Mississippi ports. The commission was created by Act 461 of the 2023 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Sen. Patrick Connick sponsored the act. The study is expected to take 17 weeks and cost $299,000, and is projected to be completed by the end of the year.
“Each port has had its own studies, but we’ve never had a comprehensive one,” said Paul Matthews, CEO of the Port of South Louisiana. “We’ve worked together on major security projects before and now we’re working together on an economic development project.”
The Port of New Orleans also praised the collaborative nature of the study and expressing hope for more cooperative projects. “We look forward to working collectively on this analysis and future strategically aligned opportunities to move Louisiana’s trade-based economy forward,” the Port of New Orleans said in a statement.
The World Trade Center of New Orleans will lead the study, which will be conducted by Martin Associates, an internationally recognized economic and transportation consulting firm.
“We are excited to partner on this groundbreaking agreement for a global commodities study, marking a pivotal moment for the five deep draft ports along the Lower Mississippi River,” said Harrison Crabtree, director of the World Trade Center of New Orleans. “By leveraging the collective efforts and strengths of our local ports, Louisiana not only enhances our understanding of global trends but also strategically position ourselves for economic success.”
For Crabtree, the collaboration is essential as the region aims to optimize the transportation and logistics sector to meet future demands and opportunities.
Drew Heaphy, executive director of the St. Bernard Port, said he was looking forward to the study because of its comprehensive nature. Previous studies were less expansive.
“Most studies that have been done on the river in the past have been primarily focused on containers and general cargo,” Heaphy said, pointing out that 90% of St. Bernard Port’s cargo is bulk.
The study will contain multiple parts. The first is container market analysis and projections. The first task for this part of the study is quantifying the current flow of containerized cargo moving through the Lower Mississippi River ports. Martin Associates will develop container trade flows by country trading partners for both imports and exports as well as studying the flow of containerized cargo from the ports through the U.S.
Martin Associates will also be conducting baseline logistic cost analysis. They will conduct interviews with ocean carriers and beneficial cargo owners who call at Lower Mississippi River ports. The interviews will focus on terminal costs, productivity, inland access, and beneficial cargo owners.
Next, Martin Associates will develop baseline container cargo projections for current container flows and customers and identify the flow of potential containerized cargo with the hope of identifying new potential markets for the Lower Mississippi River ports.
The study will also feature a break bulk market analysis. Here, the study will interview major break bulk importers
and exporters. It will also develop a market potential assessment for break bulk cargo for the five ports.
There will also be a bulk market analysis. This will review bulk cargo trends in the Gulf Coast region and interview important bulk operators and port managers along the Gulf Coast and the Lower Mississippi River. Martin Associates will also conduct a review of trends in industrial development and new bulk terminal development along the Gulf Coast port region.
Officials from the ports are excited about the study and what it will signify to state government officials.
“Short term, I hope our legislators get the message that we are not competing,” said Charles Tillotson, executive director of Plaquemines Port. “We talk and work together regularly. We have a common goal to grow the Lower Mississippi Port District and the state as a whole.”
In the long term, Tillotson said he hopes to see more economic development such as warehouses and third party distribution centers.
Officials at the five ports are confident of what they have to offer businesses. The end results of the study will make it easier for the ports to promote their services to interested parties.
“This gives us the data to really tell our story,” Tillotson said. “We could take a collective trip to Asia or Mexico and
truly have the study to support our strength as the five deep water ports.”
Matthews said once the study is completed, the five Lower Mississippi River ports can reach an agreement on what projects should be emphasized to improve the ports. They will also have concrete data to back up their requests when they approach state government officials for funding for these projects.
Hardman said he hopes the ports will start seeing more import business on top of the already robust export business.
“The maritime industry works better when you’ve got cargo going both ways,” Hardman said.
One potential project Matthews has hopes for is an industrial rail corridor from Plaquemines to Baton Rouge. He noted that the Westbank has a lot of space and land available for development. If the land is developed well and more business comes as a result, that will lead to the creation of other small businesses surrounding the port areas. This will help not only the ports, but local economies as well.
Heaphy noted that one in five jobs in Louisiana are in the maritime industry. It is therefore crucial for the state to maximize its ports.
“Louisiana needs to look at and take advantage of the Mississippi River. Hopefully this study gives us the blueprint to do that,” Heaphy said.
BY WILLIAM KALEC
Preparations have already begun in anticipation of what should be the facility’s busiest week, Super Bowl LIX week in February 2025, since the Port took ownership roughly a decade ago.
Depending on when you flip to this page, kickoff for the grandest spectacle in North American sport – Super Bowl LIX – is still a whopping total of 271 NFL games away.
Yet, at the Port of South Louisiana Executive Regional Airport (KAPS), officials have already devised a multi-layered gameplan to handle the massive influx of traffic – specifically, private air travel – that will
descend upon the entire New Orleans metro area in early February for the big game.
In total, this will mark New Orleans’ record-tying 11th time hosting the Super Bowl, the last occurring on Feb. 3, 2013, when the Baltimore Ravens held off a late rally from the San Francisco 49ers to win 34-31.
While the highlights of that fairly recent game remain vivid for most football fans, the contest took place six months and six days prior to KAPS’ initial runway extension ribbon cutting in August 2013 – an improvement which finally made landing and takeoff in the River Parishes an option for small private planes and corporate jets.
That’s not to say airport operators haven’t seen and handled upticks in traffic before. Beyond standard private corporate travel for those who have plants or other operations within the Port District, KAPS also handles tourism-related travel during carnival season and the spring festival months.
Brian Cox, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of South Louisiana, also noted that KAPS welcomed a surge of out-of-town private air traffic back in April 2022 when the Caesars Superdome hosted the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four.
“We are expecting a much larger overflow for the Super Bowl,” Cox said.
Statistics certainly back Cox’s statement.
According to the Common Sense Institute of Arizona, an independent financial watchdog group, approximately 75,000 out-of-region travelers came to metropolitan Phoenix for the 2024 Final Four in April 2024. Compared that to the 475,000 outof-region travelers that journeyed to Las Vegas for the most-recent Super Bowl in February and, well, there’s really no comparison, as the entire week leading up to the Super Bowl is filled with a cornucopia of corporate events, fan activities and lavish parties.
Business flight tracker WingX recorded that 882 private planes left Las Vegas in the 24-hour span following the final whistle of the Super Bowl. The previous year, the number was 931. And, keep in
mind, many corporate leaders and celebrities who travel privately, often come for the ‘Super Bowl Week’ festivities but don’t stick around for the game itself.
Recognizing the challenge that hosting such a wellattended event presents, Port officials have already begun working in collaboration with Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and Lakefront Airport to accommodate the expected sudden rush of private aircraft entering the area in February 2025.
“We have been in contact with MSY and plan to have a meeting in the near future,” Cox said. “Given the proximity of KAPS and MSY it makes sense for us to coordinate efforts. The plan is to coordinate the overflow to KAPS once MSY reaches capacity.”
To ensure safe travel in and out of KAPS, the Port is currently installing new lighted taxiway signage that make on-ground navigation easier and clearer for pilots and will restripe markings on both the taxiways and runway.
In order to maximize aircraft parking, KAPS officials will layout designated, non-hangar spots that can be reserved in advance – just one of several new features the Port will actively market to out-of-town travelers. The Port has also already received inquiries from private jet chartering services like Wheels Up and NetJets regarding Super Bowl week accommodations and intends to bring in a second fuel truck to meet the increased demand.
Hosting an event of the Super Bowl’s stature in New Orleans also presents KAPS a golden opportunity to showcase the multiple additions and improvements made to the facility since the Port assumed operational authority in the early 2010s. That includes a new terminal building that’s backed up with generator power, a state-of-the-art weather information software system, and of course the Port’s short-term and long-term protected plane storage hangars outfitted to house a multitude of aircraft.
“The Port is extremely excited and proud to show our improvements and capabilities at KAPS,” Cox said.
“We are continuing to expand and invest in the region, a runway extension of 1500’ is in the works, a new state of the art Terminal building, and a community hangar with space for classes and seminars.”
5th Annual St. John Parish Aviation Awareness Day at PortSL's Executive Regional Airport in April 2024.
Economic Development Week is celebrated annually to highlight the programs, best practices, and exceptional individuals that positively impact life in their communities. For the second year in a row, PortSL has hosted the kickoff gathering for the week's events in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Ninety-one years ago, Congress declared National Maritime Day to commemorate the American steamship Savannah’s voyage from the United States to England, marking the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with steam propulsion. Maritime Day is a time-honored tradition that recognizes one of our country’s most important industries. Each year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country recognize National Maritime Day and the people our maritime nation depends on.
ADDRESS: 155 West 10th Street, Reserve, La. 70084
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box AE Reserve, Louisiana 70084
PHONE: 985-652-9278
FAX: 985-653-0798
E-MAIL: info@portsl.com
WEB: www.portsl.com
CONTACT(S): Julia Fisher, Chief Commercial Officer
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
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box AE Reserve, Louisiana 70084
PHONE: 985-652-9278
FAX: 985-653-0798
E-MAIL : info@portsl.com
WEB: www.portsl.com
CONTACT(S): Julia Fisher, Chief Commercial Officer
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-perhour 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
ADDRESS: 2032 La. Highway 44, Reserve, La. 70084
PHONE: 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
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 909, La Place, La. 70069-0909
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 355 Airport Road, Reserve, La. 70084
PHONE: 985-652-9278
WEB: portsl.com/airport-services
EMAIL: psl-era@portsl.com
CONTACT: Brian Cox, Chief Operating Officer
LOCATION: N30° 05.25’, W30°34.97
ADDRESS: 6410 Plains Terminal Road, St. James, La. 70086
TERMINAL MANAGER: Craig Ellinwood
PHONE: 225-265-2353
FAX: 225-265-3171
WEB: PAALP.com
LOCATION: Mile marker 158.6
FUNCTION: Storage of petroleum products.
West Bank industrial site acquired for development into an industrial park located adjacent to Dow in St. Charles Parish.
ADDRESS: 4006 Highway 44, Mt. Airy, La. 70076
CONTACT: Gregg Qualls
PHONE: 504-533-8783
WEB: PinOakTerminals.com
LOCATION: Mile marker 144.1
FUNCTION: Storage of petroleum products.
CONTACT: Julia Fisher, Chief Commercial Officer
Property acquired for development.
A beaming girl is captivated by her first airplane adventure during 2024 Aviation Awareness Day.
