River cruise sailings from American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company have resumed from the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) with reduced capacity and strict COVID-19 protocols beyond federal recommendations.

March is National Procurement Month, recognizing the important work performed by procurement teams everywhere on a daily basis. The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is proud of our Procurement Services team and their hard work and commitment to engaging local small businesses while also promoting awareness of bid opportunities with the Port.

After an utterly unpredictable 2020, the multipurpose/heavy-lift (MPV/HL) carrier segment is in early 2021 looking at a surprisingly buoyant market. Spillover cargo from the chaotic container sector, a booming bulk cargo market, and continuing strength in wind cargo have combined to push up rates and keep the sector busy.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has begun the due diligence process for a potential $1.5 billion multimodal container terminal to serve the largest container vessels calling in the Gulf of Mexico. On December 30, 2020, Port NOLA acquired property in St. Bernard Parish and began a two-year due diligence and permitting period that will include robust community engagement.

The Port of New Orleans expansion project at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal is approximately 40 percent complete, on track to add four new 100-foot-gauge container gantry cranes into operation in the fourth quarter of 2021.

In October, Port NOLA hosted a Maritime Career Info Webinar about careers available in the region’s maritime industry for local residents to learn about the variety of jobs that are available on or near the river. The series includes presentations by industry and education stakeholders who outline career paths for jobs such as longshoreman, deckhand, trucker, Harbor Police Department officer, and facilities maintenance.

At the 10^th annual Rail Supply Chain Summit Port NOLA tenant and business operator David W. Kearny was presented with the Rising Star Award. Kearney is the President of The Kearney Companies (KCO), a 3PL service company headquartered in New Orleans. The award was presented during a ceremony on Oct. 15, 2020 in Chicago.

On November 3, 2020, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), determined that its cruise line members would maintain the ongoing voluntary suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. through December 31, 2020. CLIA members will also use the remainder of the year to further prepare for the implementation of extensive measures to address COVID-19 safety with the guidance of outside public health experts and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Harbor Police Chief Robert S. Hecker will be honored during Global Maritime Ministries Global Fest virtual auction as the award recipient of the Rev. John P. Vandercook Service Award, which celebrates the Maritime Humanitarian of the Year.

The Port of New Orleans recently reached a notable safety milestone marking zero incidents reported for a six-month period — the Port’s lowest ever safety incident rate among its 250-plus employees.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a Louisiana smart port initiative that will streamline operations and improve safety through real-time data shared by port administrators, tenants, shippers, and warehouse, cargo and ground transportation providers. Louisiana Economic Development is coordinating the smart port initiative with The Water Institute of the Gulf and the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA).

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $9.5 million in grants to eight marine highways projects across the Nation under the America’s Marine Highway Program. Port NOLA’s sponsored container-on-barge project with SEACOR AMH LLC was one of the grants awarded.