LaGrange, who marked ten years at the Port of New Orleans Sept. 1, also took time to reflect on the last decade.
“Together, we’ve been through a lot,” he told the crowd at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside. “Whether it was 9-11, steel tariffs, Hurricane Katrina, oil spills or the recent high-water event, we’ve emerged as victors, stronger and more resilient than ever.”
LaGrange cited total general cargo gains of 15 percent through the first six months of 2011, including a 19 percent gain in breakbulk cargo and a 15 percent gain in container volumes. According to terminal data, 241,000 TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent-units) moved through the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal during the first six months of 2011. The total is up 15 percent compared to one year ago and puts the Port on pace to shatter 2010’s record year of 427,000 TEUs.
LaGrange cited a recent decision by CMA CGM, a French container shipping line, to return its Gulf Bridge Express service to the Port of New Orleans Oct. 1. The service gives the Port a new weekly direct call to Caribbean and Central and South American ports.
“We are reaping the benefits of the investments we have made at the Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal,” LaGrange said. “There is room for continued expansion of the terminal and we intend to stay a few steps ahead of the market’s demand as the container trade grows in the Gulf of Mexico.”
The Port invested $38 million last year alone into the terminal, including the purchase of two new container gantry cranes and the expansion of the terminal’s marshalling yard.
Imported steel, a mainstay for the Port, is also experiencing strong gains so far in 2011.
“Steel tonnage is up nearly 21 percent compared to a year ago,” LaGrange said. “And all indications point to moderate gains continuing.”
Other traditional cargoes are experiencing large gains, as well. Frozen poultry for export is up 58 percent, forest products are up 29 percent and imported coffee is up 19 percent so far in 2011. The gains coincide with an 18.3 percent uptick in ship calls.
LaGrange also discussed the Port’s robust cruise industry.
“We will welcome the biggest and brightest ships in the industry next month – with three new ships set to sail from New Orleans,” LaGrange said.
In addition to Norwegian Cruise Line’s home-ported Norwegian Spirit, Carnival Cruise Line will return in October its Carnival Conquest for seven-day year-round cruises and its Carnival Elation for four- and five-day cruises year round. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line will begin seven-day cruises from New Orleans aboard the Voyager of the Seas – the largest cruise ship to ever home-port in New Orleans.
“With these new cruising options, we will have the ability to handle nearly 1 million passengers in 2012,” LaGrange said. “That’s by far a new record for the Port, making New Orleans a top ten cruise port in the nation.”