The Alabo Street Wharf has been a cornerstone of Port NOLA operations and instrumental in the efficient and secure movement of a wide range of cargo.

Maritime commerce has been active at what is now the Alabo Street Wharf since 1921. The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) purchased the property in 1978, construction began on the existing Alabo Street shed in 1980, and the wharf complex was dedicated in 1982. 

Since then, the Alabo Street Wharf has been a vital maritime asset in which Port NOLA has continued to invest. As recently as 2024, the facility was used to move cargo like lumber, copper and sugar.  

During a meeting on June 27, 2024, the Port NOLA board approved a lease agreement with Sunrise Foods International (Sunrise Foods). This agreement, which commenced on October 1, 2024, will support the region’s role in global agricultural trade while aligning with industry best practices for environmental sustainability, safety, and operational efficiency.

What has the Port of New Orleans Invested in This Project?

The Port of New Orleans has committed an industrial inducement to fund infrastructure upgrades at the Alabo Street Wharf in preparation for the Sunrise Foods organic transloading facility.

Planned Upgrades Funded by the Port:

• Fire and electrical system upgrades

• Vessel unloading system

• Rail loading system

Additionally, there is a separate agreement between Port NOLA and Norfolk Southern (NS) to provide services to the Alabo Street Wharf facility.

Click here to view a map of Sunrise Foods leased premises.

Sunrise Foods – Tenant Operations
Sunrise Foods has executed a 15-year lease that includes two 5-year options to extend the term. In connection with its lease of the facility, Sunrise Foods has pledged to:

• Work with regulatory agencies and industry partners to ensure transparent operations and high standards of health and safety.

• Invest in community initiatives that reflect the needs and priorities of the Lower Ninth Ward and Holy Cross neighborhoods.

• Implement comprehensive dust and pest mitigation plans to minimize environmental impact.

To that end, Sunrise Foods has pledged that it will not commence operations until its pest mitigation, dust mitigation and operations plans have been shared and applicable permits have been received.

To watch an overview video of the facility and explore Sunrise Foods' operational plans, including dust and pest mitigation strategies, job creation, and ongoing project updates, visit sunrisenola.com.

Products Moving Through Alabo Street Wharf

Sunrise Foods has been involved in the domestic and international shipping of organic foods products for 25 years. The products that Sunrise Foods will handle at the Alabo Street Wharf will be primarily from global organic grain regions. Agriculture products that Sunrise Foods intends to move from vessel to rail at the Alabo Street Wharf include:

• Soybeans

• Soy Meal

• Sunflower Meal

• Peas

• Wheat

Learn more about Sunrise Foods’ products.

Environmental Compliance & Oversight

Port NOLA is working with Sunrise Foods to ensure operations at the Alabo Street Wharf meet all applicable environmental standards. It’s important to note that Sunrise Foods will not commence operations until all necessary permits have been received.

Regulatory oversight includes:

• Air Emissions Permits: The scope of any permit(s) will include LDEQ’s established criteria, including limits on the volumes of permissible emissions. Sunrise Foods’ engineers will implement controls to operate within applicable limits.

• Stormwater Pollution Prevention (Construction/Operations): Sunrise Foods will obtain a Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) from LDEQ, which mandates pollution monitoring, housekeeping in maintenance and storage areas, employee training and regular inspections. Additionally, construction stormwater permits are required for projects with ground disturbing activities greater than one acre.

• Environmental Site Inspections: Port NOLA environmental staff review site plans and operations to ensure compliance of its tenants prior to start of operations and throughout lease terms.

• Coastal Use Permit (CUP): CUP is part of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP), which is an effort to preserve, restore, and enhance Louisiana's valuable coastal resources. The purpose of the CUP process is to make certain that any activity affecting the LA Coastal Zone is performed in accordance with the Coastal Use Guidelines established in the LCRP. Any new structures on the wharf and support yard will be required to pursue a CUP. Repairs and maintenance to existing structures are exempt.

Sunrise Foods may be required to apply for and obtain other applicable permits based on the scope of their operations, in accordance with federal and state law.

Port NOLA’s permitting and environmental teams have reviewed Sunrise Foods' proposed operations to assess potential environmental risks and compliance requirements. Additionally, Port NOLA issues work permits for construction activities, which undergo environmental staff review to ensure proper environmental controls are implemented before operations begin.

Sunrise Foods has recently released results from their environmental assessments and an operational process overview. For more information, visit sunrisenola.com.

Pest Management
Sunrise Foods has committed to implementing a pest management plan, as it maintains at all of its facilities, in order to prevent pest-related issues in a manner that ensures safe and efficient operations for both the workforce and the community. The plan will be customized to the design of the facility and the local environment. For more information, please visit sunrisenola.com.

Project Rail
The railroad tracks leading the Alabo Riverfront Properties are operated by Norfolk Southern. Rail operational plans related to the Alabo Wharf currently include:

• Traveling existing rail footprint; this rail corridor has been considered active.

• One train per day consisting of one locomotive engine and up to ten covered rail cars (out + back).

• Tracks maintained in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) standards.

• Monday-Friday operations, during daylight hours.

• Per FRA rules, crew is required to blow horn at each of the street crossings.

• Train speed is 5 MPH.