Port of New Orleans Set to Acquire St. Bernard Property for Potential New Container Terminal
CHALMETTE, LA — The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation is pleased to announce that the Commissioners of the Board for both the St. Bernard Port Harbor and Terminal District and Port of New Orleans have both reached an agreement and unanimously voted to approve the respective sale and purchase of property in Violet, LA for a potential new container terminal.
“St. Bernard has a storied history and an incredibly bright future. It’s an honor to see an organization like the Port of New Orleans recognize our parish’s strong infrastructure advantages and make such an investment here,” said Meaghan McCormack, Executive Director of the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation. “I look forward to working with the Port of New Orleans to ensure this development serves our people and business community.”
This positions the Port of New Orleans (which has jurisdiction in St. Bernard Parish) to serve the largest container vessels calling in the Gulf of Mexico. Following the purchase of the land, which is expected to be complete by the end of the year, Port NOLA will commence a two year due diligence process to assess the feasibility of the proposed project. Port NOLA will also conduct an environmental impact study and consult with the community.
“This proposed project will have a tremendously positive impact on our community and the two ports,” said Drew Heaphy, Executive Director of the St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District. “We expect to see an accelerated prosperty in our region, improvement of infrastructure, and national recognition that comes with such a development. This project will also result in expansion and job creation at the Port of St. Bernard. It will also allow the Port of New Orleans to build its first facility in the parish and similarly see an increase in expansion and job creation.”
A new terminal would complement the Port’s existing Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal by exceeding water draft levels and completely eliminating air draft restrictions. This major economic development project would serve industry investments throughout the State of Louisiana and attract business to St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans East, Jefferson Parish, the North Shore and parishes along the Lower Mississippi River.
“Providing the next generation of critical infrastructure which meets the needs of our container carrier partners and provides economic prosperity for St. Bernard Parish, our region and the State of Louisiana is Port NOLA’s number one priority,” said President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, Brandy D. Christian, “This property acquisition and due diligence process is an exciting step forward. Our Strategic Master Plan identified the opportunity, and we are working hard to move forward with a project that provides regional and statewide benefits.”
Nearly 1,100 acres located in Violet, Louisiana at Mississippi River Mile Marker 83 will be acquired with consideration for a phased project that accommodates terminal operations, terminal access and egress traffic impacts, environmental issues and adjacent community needs.
“I am highly encouraged by the cooperation and partnership between St. Bernard Port and the Port of New Orleans, which will benefit both ports and the entire Parish. St. Bernard Port will improve its facilities and the Port of New Orleans is in the initial phases of the most significant investment in St. Bernard Parish in many years,” said St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis. “I look forward to working with Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Port of New Orleans to solidify any critical infrastructure improvements/needs for a project of this magnitude and for the citizens of St. Bernard Parish.”
Central to the development is naturally deep-draft riverfront acreage at Violet that has historically been used for maritime operations including ship repair, cargo handling and more. The property also has ample acreage to support ancillary cargo-related logistics and value-add businesses. The Violet location is within the Federal Government’s $14 billion flood protection system and includes existing multimodal infrastructure with access to six Class 1 railroads and interstate highways. The potential project will accommodate Port NOLA’s growing container-on-barge operations and incorporate green technologies.
For project updates visit www.portnola.com/info/downriver
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About the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
Serving as the official economic development organization in the parish, the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve the quality of life in St. Bernard. To learn more about SBEDF and its work, visit sbedf.org.
About St. Bernard Port
St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District is the economic engine of St. Bernard, providing 18% of the jobs in the parish. Located just five miles downriver from downtown New Orleans, the St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District boasts Arabi and Chalmette Terminals/Industrial Parks, as well as Meraux and Chalmette Mid-Stream Mooring Facilities.
About Port NOLA
Port of New Orleans is a modern multimodal gateway for global commerce and an in-demand cruise port — delivering seamless, integrated logistics solutions between river, rail and road. Port NOLA is a diverse deepwater port uniquely located on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico -- with access to 30-plus major inland hubs such as Memphis, Chicago and Canada via 14,500 miles of waterways, 6 Class I railroads and interstate roadways. The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, a Class III connecting railroad, strengthens Port NOLA’s position as an integrated hub and supports the Port’s mission of driving regional economic prosperity.
