Good Neighbors
The New Orleans Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Engagement visited the Port of New Orleans Jan. 5 as part of the Lunch and Learn series with community partners. The group participated in a Port 101 informational presentation then toured the Port aboard the Fireboat General Kelley.
Direct-Asia Affair
A reception celebrating the new CMA CGM weekly direct-Asia container service from the Port of New Orleans was held Jan. 31. Remarks were made by Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy D. Christian, as well as by representatives from the Marseilles, France-based ocean carrier: Pascal Hirn, Senior Line Manager, Transpacific, and Nick Fafoutis, Senior Vice President of Sales and COO. Maritime stakeholders and business leaders joined to toast the new PEX3 service.
Photo: Tracie Morris Schaefer
International Envoys
Jan. 27 brought Slovakian Ambassador Peter Kmec to the Port of New Orleans. He was joined by Dr. Ziltan Gombos, Honorary Consul of Slovakia, as well as Greg Beuerman, Consul of Iceland. Pictured, Quentin Messer, President and CEO of New Orleans Business Alliance, delivers an economic development presentation.
Radio Waves
The Port of New Orleans partnered with New Orleans NPR radio affiliate WWNO to provide a tour Feb. 10 for its staff and the lucky listeners who were the first to sign up. WWNO is an award-winning station serving New Orleans and the 13 parishes of southeast Louisiana, broadcasting on 89.9 FM — and on KTLN 90.5 FM in the Houma-Thibodaux area — as a public service of the University of New Orleans.
Commissioners’ Reunion
Port NOLA welcomed back former Commissioners March 14 for a presentation and luncheon. They received an update on all the Port has accomplished since their tenures ended, as well as a look at future plans. Brandy D. Christian, Port NOLA President and CEO (center), visits with former Commissioners (from left) David Guidry, John Kallenborn, Bernard Charbonnet and Charles Teamer.
Photo: Tracie Morris Schaefer
Honoring Partnerships
Commissioners and staff of World Trade Center New Orleans (WTCNO) toured the Port of New Orleans Feb. 13 aboard the General Kelley and on Feb. 21 returned to the Port for a reception honoring Caitlin Cain, WTCNO’s new President and CEO. Port NOLA and WTCNO work closely to identify new international trade opportunities for the benefit of the Greater New Orleans Region and Louisiana.
Photo: Courtesy WTCNO
WTCNO President and CEO Caitlin Cain addressed the crowd at the reception held in her honor after an introduction by Port NOLA President and CEO Brandy D. Christian.
Photo: Tracie Morris Schaefer
Learning Perspective
A brisk, sunny day and boat tour were enjoyed March 14 by Tulane School of Architecture professor Richard Campanella and his students. Professor Campanella, a geographer, plans this trip annually as part of his syllabus. His research integrates the mapping sciences and spatial analyses with the social sciences and humanities.
Photo: Courtesy of Richard Campanella
Commerce and Careers
The nonprofit organization RiverWorks Discovery, based in Dubuque, Iowa, organized a job exploration event March 23 for New Orleans-area students to expose them to career possibilities in the maritime sector. The Port of New Orleans participated in the annual maritime educational event (left) and joined partners like Canal Barge Company (right) who demonstrated ship mooring to the students.
Photo: Tracie Morris Schaefer
Cutting the Ribbon
On April 10, the Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association held a dedication ceremony of its newly constructed, hurricane-resistant facility at Pilottown, Louisiana. With advanced technologies and an efficient, elevated design, this new station can withstand the forces of a major category storm and allow for an immediate return to resume pilot operations. Pilottown is a state-of-the-art station where the pilots can rest while waiting to take their ships from Mile 0 AHP of the Mississippi River to the Port of New Orleans.
Photo: Courtesy of Crescent River Port Pilots’ Association