New Orleans port forges representation pact with Samsara Shipping in India

To take advantage of increasing trade opportunities in the world's 10th-largest economy, the Port of New Orleans' Board of Commissioners reached an agreement with Samsara Shipping Pvt. Ltd. to represent the port in India.

Marketing will be focused on steel for oil and gas projects, apparel, furniture, machinery and retail merchandise.

India is a significant player in the global steel market and serves many U.S. customers, port officials said in a press release. The nation also imports many products from Louisiana, including forest products, synthetic rubber and various chemical commodities.

"The port is well positioned for growth in imported steel products, as it offers excellent connectivity via barge, rail and truck to major oil and gas projects in the United States and Canada," said Gary LaGrange, the port's president and chief executive officer. "With India’s fast-paced economic growth, we see opportunities to grow two-way trade between the port and India through a variety of commodities."

The port is accessed by BNSF Railway Co., CN, CSX Transportation, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad via the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Co. The New Orleans port offers various container and breakbulk services to Indian ports through major shipping lines.