In case you missed our email last month, Governor John Bel Edwards announced a public-private partnership between the State, Port NOLA, and leading global maritime partners to deliver the Louisiana International Terminal. Ports America and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) will invest more than $800 million to build and operate the new terminal in St. Bernard Parish. 

Ports America, North America's largest marine terminal operator, and TiL, the investment arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), currently operate Port NOLA's Napolean container facility in New Orleans and have been valued partners of ours for decades. MSC, the world's largest container carrier, already serves Port NOLA's gateway and has the largest container volume on the river. 

This investment in this project represents Ports America and TiL's ongoing commitment to the region and State and demonstrates the industry's confidence in our ability to deliver the leading gateway in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the partners' investment, the terminal's construction will be financially supported by a substantial commitment from Port NOLA and State and Federal funding sources. 

Our partners are excited to work with us to build this facility by investing in the latest green technology. These investments include: 

• Shore power, which can potentially reduce emissions from ships at berth by up to 98% 
• Container on barge services, which move containers up and down the river by barge rather than road or rail 
• Electric equipment 

Geotechnical Studies

As we continue the environmental review and planning process for the terminal, we need to collect geotechnical borings. This process is done to test soil samples to aid in the terminal design. To do this, we will need to clear several paths throughout the property to bring in boring equipment. We have received a permit to do this work from the USACE. Please note, these surveys are to better understand the existing conditions of the site, and they are the beginning of construction.

Port NOLA will continue to keep you up to date on when residents can expect to see this survey work, which may begin as early as next month. 

Save the Date

Last spring, the Port of New Orleans hosted a series of open houses about the Louisiana International Terminal. Feedback from those open houses and two formal public comment periods guided our efforts over the last year. 

Thanks to your input, we made significant updates to the terminal’s layout and identified environmental impact studies to conduct. Now, we want to reconnect with the community, share recent updates, and show you how we will continue incorporating your input as we go through the federal permitting process.  

Save the date to join us for one of three upcoming open houses in March 2023 to discuss the terminal’s updated layout, the environmental permitting process, our community commitments, economic impacts, job readiness, the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, and other topics. We also encourage you to continue sharing your concerns and questions about the project. 

Open Houses:  

• Tuesday, March 7 – Violet – 4:00 – 7:00 PM 
• Wednesday, March 8 – Chalmette – 4:00 – 7:00 PM 
• Thursday, March 9 – St. Bernard – 4:00 – 7:00 PM 

Project Timeline

The Louisiana International Terminal project is in the two-to-three-year federal permitting process. We will continue to work with our neighbors to deliver a project that brings opportunity for St. Bernard families and businesses and protects the local quality of life.  

We invite you to learn more about the Louisiana International Terminal by visiting our website at louisianainternationalterminal.com or our Community Connection Office in Violet. We will be in our Violet office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 AM - 4:30 PM and are available on Tuesday and Thursday by appointment. To make an appointment with our team, email us at [email protected].