At special meetings on Sept. 25, the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and the Board of Directors of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Corporation (NOPB) approved separate resolutions authorizing Cooperative Endeavor Agreements between Port NOLA, NOPB, Jefferson Parish and Avondale Marine LLC to facilitate the proposed redevelopment of the former Avondale Shipyard site.

NOPB is in the process of implementing the Urban Railroading Initiative, a companywide program that addresses infrastructure improvements, operations practices and internal and external outreach.

The Port of New Orleans’ annual State of the Port address is slated for Oct. 17, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marriott New Orleans Downtown located at 859 Convention Center Blvd. in New Orleans.

Kansas City Southern (KCS) began a new weekly service between the Port of New Orleans and Wylie, Texas (Dallas-market) May 29, relaunching intermodal service to this lane for the first time since 2005.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) celebrated its second annual Maritime Month throughout May and National Maritime Day on May 22 to pay tribute to the region’s rich maritime history and to recognize the hardworking men and women who serve in the industry.

The New Orleans Public Belt (NOPB) hosted its first Community Open House May 24 in the NOPB engine (locomotive) terminal. It was attended by over 100 neighbors and industry guests.

The Port of New Orleans officially launched its Strategic Master Plan in May 2018 when its Board of Commissioners voted to adopt it at their monthly board meeting. Aptly titled “Port NOLA Forward,” the plan is a bold vision to deliver significant, sustained economic benefit throughout the Port’s three-parish jurisdiction — Jefferson, Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes.

Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy D. Christian shared highlights of the Port’s new Strategic Master Plan for the gateway as the keynote speaker for the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce’s First Quarter Luncheon this month.

Port NOLA will host the annual Cargo Connections Conference (CCC) April 8-10 at The Chicory in downtown New Orleans, marking the 10th anniversary of the dynamic three-day conference that focuses on the efficient transportation of energy products, steel and other raw materials, containerized cargo and more.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed William H. Langenstein and Charles H. Ponstein to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans.

The transfer of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad assets to the Port of New Orleans is now final. This strategic alignment the Port and the Class III switching railroad significantly builds on the Port’s intermodal strengths and global competitiveness by ensuring shippers efficient access to all six Class I railroads.

The Port of New Orleans is looking to expand its container operations with investments at current facilities and potentially developing a new terminal at an undeveloped site within its jurisdiction in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.