New Orleans: Strong Steel Imports, Chemical Exports Produce Year-End Cargo Gains

The Port of New Orleans reports general cargo volumes increased in 2012 for the third consecutive year, up 8.6 percent from 2011 to 7.55 million short tons. Growth came chiefly from breakbulk cargo, particularly steel, which jumped 38.4 percent to 1.9 million tons. Other top performing commodities were chemical exports (up 5.4 percent to 1.75 million tons) and poultry and other agricultural product exports (up 22.8 percent to 496,000 tons).

"2012 proved to be a marquee year overall for the Port of New Orleans,” said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange, PPM®. "We’re seeing the national economy steadily recover and, hopefully, calmer seas ahead for the international economy.”

The port completed several cargo projects in 2012, including the installation of two new post-Panamax gantry cranes, each able to span 19 containers. Also completed were the new 40,000 square-foot Riverfront Cold Storage Facility and expanded and improved marshaling yards at several wharfs.

In contrast to the burgeoning breakbulk trade, the port’s container business remained essentially flat at 4.1 million tons, an increase of just 38 tons from the record volume handled in 2011. Box movements fell 2.9 percent to 463,147 TEUs. Mr. LaGrange attributed the lackluster container market to global economic conditions.

"The Port of New Orleans’ main trading partner is Europe, and many European nations are struggling right now and not restocking inventories as quickly as in years past,” he said. "Despite that, we are working diligently to grow new markets and build upon successful ones to deliver benefits to all of our customers and tenants.”

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