Cargo Operations: Corpus Christi, New Orleans

 

This has been a banner year for wind turbine cargo at Port Corpus Christi, which anticipates a final count of more than 3,000 large turbine blades and tower sections. That would be up from 2,875 in 2016 and 2,603 in 2015.

 

The Port Corpus Christi Commission on December 12 approved a contract for construction of an additional 25-acre/10-hectare laydown yard for storage of wind turbine components and other breakbulk cargo. The first phase comprising a 10-acre/4-hectare laydown yard will be available by end the first quarter 2018 and the additional 15-acre/6-hectare laydown yard will be available within the following months.

 

"Port Corpus Christi is proud to offer customized logistics solutions for the fast-growing wind energy industry in North America.  Port authorities play an important role within the supply chain to help customers and users successfully execute major wind turbine projects," says Jarl Pedersen, the port’s chief commercial officer. "We also recognize the continued innovation in the wind energy industry and need to make infrastructure investments allowing us to offer competitive solutions for transport of ever larger wind turbine components."

 

 

 

 

The second of five heavy-lift project cargo pieces manufactured in Louisiana was recently exported via the Port of New Orleans to Trinidad through the joint effort of three locally-based entities.

 

Specifically, the port is partnering with Intermarine, a New Orleans-based shipping company, and Chet Morrison Contractors, a land and marine construction company headquartered in nearby Harvey (LA), to export five shipments of locally manufactured oil platform components to Trinidad through 2019. 

 

The first piece, the base of an oil platform built by Chet Morrison, arrived by barge at Poland Avenue wharf and was discharged directly from barge to Intermarine’s heavy lift tween-decker M/V Industrial Edge by terminal operator Coastal Cargo in August. The second piece, the top side deck, also built by Chet Morrison, arrived in November by barge at the Harmony Street wharf for direct transfer to Industrial Edge by Coastal Cargo. 

 

Both shipments arrived safely in Trinidad. The next project will commence loading in March 2018. 

 

"The Port of New Orleans is proud to collaborate with our long-time shipping line partner Intermarine to be able to provide the most efficient international shipping option for a Louisiana-made product," said Port CEO Brandy D. Christian. "This partnership bodes well for the port’s diverse capabilities and carrier options, as well as for our homegrown manufacturers’ ability to compete globally."