Port of New Orleans posts record growth

More containers moved through the Port of New Orleans' Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal in March and April than in any two months in the port's history.

Port officials reported that 50,974 twenty-foot-equivalent units (TEU) moved through the terminal in April, besting the previous monthly record of 48,594 TEUs in March of 2016, port officials said in a press release.

The two-month total of 99,568 TEUs is up 6.1 percent, compared with the same two months in 2015.

In addition, the port reported a 3 percent increase in total general cargo at its public docks during 2015 compared with 2014's totals, according to figures released this week by the port's board.

Total port-wide cargo, including midstream operations within the port's three-parish jurisdiction, rose 8.1 percent to 33.5 million tons, compared with 31 million tons in the previous year. Besides growth in overall tonnage, the port's Napoleon terminal handled a calendar-year record of 525,485 TEUs in 2015, up more than 7 percent compared to the TEUs handled during the previous 12-month period.

"Continued growth in cargo figures is attributable to our efficient terminal operators, valued customers and the hard work of the entire Port community," said the port's President and Chief Executive Officer Gary LaGrange. "All of that hard work is also paying off with international recognition from trusted transportation publications citing the port's productivity."

LeGrange noted that recent port and terminal operator investments could lead to further growth this year.

"Nearly $40 million in new investments to increase efficiencies and expand container handling capabilities have been made in the last year at our Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal,” LaGrange said. "Our challenge now is to keep pace and execute our plan for smart growth in the future."