Louis Dreyfus Commodities opens new grain elevator at Louisiana port

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Louis Dreyfus Commodities L.L.C. officials on Tuesday inaugurated a grain and oilseed export elevator at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, La., following a $150 million expansion and upgrade.

The new elevator is designed to handle up to 5 million metric tons of grains and oilseeds annually during the first phase of operation. Volumes are projected to rise to more than 6 million metric tons after all planned improvements are completed over the next two to three years, including more efficient storage and inbound logistics capabilities.

"Port Allen will be our flagship export facility on the Mississippi River and a major part of our North American export program, bringing local products to world markets," said Mikael Morn, chief executive officer of Louis Dreyfus Commodities for North America, in a press release.

The elevator features a new barge unloader with the capacity to discharge 20 to 24 barges per day and a new dock designed to load a vessel holding up to 60,000 metric tons of product.

The state of Louisiana, Louisiana Farm Bureau, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and port — which is served by CN, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific Railroad — partnered with Louis Dreyfus Commodities on the project.

"The modernized facility will provide more economic opportunities for our farmers," said Jindal.