Director’s Log

In direct response to increased throughput and the demand for efficient cargo handling, the Port of South Louisiana has continued to work on bringing current infrastructure to working standards while improving the linked transportation network, increasing capacity and addressing any bottlenecks. Water, road, rail, air, and pipeline access round out the resources for which we have gained national recognition.

Over the last 20 years, the Port of South Louisiana has been making continuous improvements to port infrastructure that have allowed an increase in cargo. We know that multi-modal projects will pave the way for business growth and vitality, increasing the efficiency, productivity and reliability of cargo transport, leading to more affordable goods for U.S. and global consumers.

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Improvements at Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, 335-acre maritime industrial park located in the heart of the Port of South Louisiana district, revolve primarily around the terminal’s general cargo dock. Currently, the dock is undergoing reinforcements, which are slated to be complete no later than the first quarter of 2022. Concurrently, the Manitowoc 2250 rail-mounted cranes that once decked and traversed the general cargo dock and adjacent finger pier since the turn of the century (circa 1999) have been removed and the rails are being adjusted and readied for the delivery of two Konecranes Gottwald Model 6 Portal Harbor Cranes, which will take place around September 2021.

Last spring the Port of South Louisiana received a $13.4 million grant approved through the new U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration Port Infrastructure Development program for a Multi-Modal Connections project at Globalplex. This project, which will also receive funding from Louisiana’s Capital Outlay program, includes a new heavy capacity general cargo dock access-bridge, an access road, a rail spur, and a dry storage area with conveyors to move bulk material.

Construction of Port of South Louisiana’s Business Development Center at Globalplex is also currently underway. When complete, all Port of South Louisiana personnel will be under one roof, apart from security, operations and maintenance staff.

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Outside of Globalplex, a six-track railyard is now in operation at SoLaPort, a port-owned property on St. Charles Parish’s west bank of the Mississippi River. It is configured to accommodate between 250 and 350 rail cars exclusively for Dow Chemical that is accessible via a rail spur designed and installed by Dow on the south side of the its facility. Dow has entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the Port of South Louisiana, with an option to renew for an additional ten years, to provide efficient, reliable, and cost-advantageous services for its customers with opportunities for growth over time.

The Port of South Louisiana has lead the way for years in many industries, primarily due to the well-rounded logistics and key words, location, location, location. We have built a strong foundation over the last 60 years in the River Parishes and our team is ready to bring the Port to the next level.

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