Dear Breakbulk & Project Cargo Conference Attendees,

Welcome to the Journal of Commerce Breakbulk & Project Cargo Conference presented by S&P Global. On behalf of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB), we are extremely excited to once again serve as the host sponsor for this incredible event.

And how appropriate that this industry gathering takes place just steps from the Lower Mississippi River, the busiest freight corridor in the Western Hemisphere where more than 500 million tons of cargo transits up and down this remarkable waterway each year. New Orleans was founded as a port city and our future is dependent on this working river.

As Louisiana’s largest breakbulk handling port and the state’s only international container port, Port NOLA plays a vital role in the global supply chain. Breakbulk and project cargo are an integral part of our cargo profile, accounting for nearly 2 million tons of cargo annually. We leverage our strong breakbulk capabilities and strategic location to offer innovative supply chain solutions.  We are the only deep-water port in the U.S. connected to all 6 Class 1 railroads and with access to 14,500 miles of inland waterways.

We are prioritizing infrastructure projects that elevate our competitive edge and provide innovative solutions to move cargo more efficiently. Port NOLA has the largest public footprint of Louisiana’s ports, with 24 berths, 20 million square feet of cargo-handling areas, 2 cruise terminals and 2,500 acres of industrial real estate.

As we gather here in New Orleans for the next few days, we look forward to connecting with and learning from the best in the industry and to gaining insights from cargo owners and other supply chain partners. This is the type of industry event that enables us all to better understand and respond to our customers’ needs.   

We’re honored to have you here and as I’ve quickly learned since moving to the Crescent City last December, nothing compares to that Big Easy hospitality. So, as you reunite with old friends and build new relationships, we hope you will also take some time to enjoy all our vibrant city has to offer, from our world-renowned restaurants to our unique cultural heritage to our beautiful river front, music, and attractions - as we say here, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!”  

Sincerely,

 

Beth Branch

President and CEO, Port of New Orleans

CEO, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad