Louisiana to build new container terminal on Lower Mississippi River

A public-private partnership between the state of Louisiana, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), New Jersey-based Ports America, and Swiss shipping company MSC will build a new container facility in St. Bernard Parish on the Lower Mississippi River.

Port NOLA said the new Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) will be able to serve vessels of various sizes, increasing Louisiana’s import and export capacity.

Ports America and MSC, through its terminal development and investment arm Terminal Investment (TIL), have committed US$800 million toward the US$1.8 billion project. In addition to the partners’ investment, the construction of the terminal will be supported by a substantial commitment from Port NOLA as well as state and federal funding sources.

The joint venture will also operate the terminal once construction is complete.

The project is currently in the design and permitting phase of the US Army Corps of Engineers’ environmental review process. Barring unforeseen delays, construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and the first berth will open in 2028.

At full build-out, LIT will cover nearly 1,200 acres (485 hectares) and will be able to handle two million TEUs annually, taking advantage of the deeper 50-foot (15.2-metre) Lower Mississippi River Ship Channel and avoiding height restrictions from Mississippi River bridges further up the river.