The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and the Harbor Police Department (HPD) announced today the launch of strengthened security and upgraded technology at its Maritime Security Operations Center (MSOC). The new technology, put in place ahead of New Orleans hosting Super Bowl LIX, was used as part of increased security measures for the event and will continue to improve HPD’s emergency response capabilities. The MSOC provides surveillance and communications equipment necessary for operational coordination and critical information-sharing with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and other public safety agencies.

The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) and Gulf Gateway Terminal LLC (GGT) announced today expanded storage capacity and improved efficiencies to move liquid bulk through the global supply chain.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and Lineage, Inc. (Lineage) one of the world’s largest providers of temperature-controlled warehousing and integrated transportation solutions, announce newly added services for the global food supply chain. I-house USDA import inspections will now take place at Lineage’s Jourdan Road cold storage facility in New Orleans East. I-Houses, or import houses, are facilities that specialize in streamlined, on-site USDA inspection services for imported proteins. The new import service complements Lineage’s existing USDA export inspection services at its Jourdan Road facility.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), the 6th largest U.S. cruise port and the only port in the country that offers both ocean-going and river cruising, announced today a record-breaking year with more than 1.2 million cruise passenger movements in 2024. Port NOLA’s two cruise terminals at Erato Street and Julia Street are located within the heart of the city, just steps away from the historic French Quarter, world-renowned restaurants, and unique cultural heritage.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced today it was awarded $1,000,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) Sustainability Management Plan (SMP).

Today, during the 36^th annual event in partnership with the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans (IFFCBANO), Michael A. Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission, gave the 2024 State of the Port Address, “Delivering Louisiana’s Future -Together,” to nearly 250 community, business and elected leaders.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in coordination with the non-Federal sponsor, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), announced the completion of deepening the access channel adjacent to Port NOLA facilities. This project was provided $5.82M for construction in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Today, the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) appointed global maritime expert Beth Ann Branch President & Chief Executive Officer of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), effective Dec. 1, 2024. Branch is a globally recognized commercial strategist with more than 20 years of experience in the transportation and logistics industry. She replaces Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Ronald Wendel Jr., who served as Port NOLA’s Acting President & CEO / Acting CEO of NOPB and moved key strategic initiatives, like the $1.8 billion-dollar Louisiana International Terminal, forward during this transitional period.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is on track for a record number of passenger movements with 1.3 million anticipated by the end of the year, which will exceed pre-pandemic levels. Port NOLA is the 6th largest cruise port in the country, with strong demand for both oceangoing and river vessels. Cruise business represents more than 15% of Port NOLA and NOPB’s consolidated annual revenue.

The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) and Heniff Transportation Systems, LLC (Heniff) announced today that they have signed an agreement for Heniff to manage rail transloading services at the newly opened New Orleans Transloading Industrial Park. This facility, located on Terminal Road in New Orleans East, will help shippers move goods more easily between trucks and trains, making it faster to transport freight to America’s heartland.

New Orleans — The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) today announced it was awarded $1,040,583 in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Port Security Grant Program to invest in physical and technology upgrades that will enhance Harbor Police Department’s (HPD) surveillance network and provide critical equipment to help in their response to emergency incidents. Work must be completed by August 31, 2027.

In 2024, FEMA’s Port Security Grant Program awarded $90 million to agencies to help protect critical port infrastructure from terrorism, major disasters, or other emergencies.

Gov. Jeff Landry recently appointed Michael A. Thomas as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) for a five-year term. With the alignment of Port NOLA and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), Thomas will also serve as Chairman of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission.