AP Moller Maersk’s terminal operator APM Terminals has announced that it has entered into discussions with the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District (PPHTD) to develop a new southern gateway on the Mississippi River.
The terminal operator could be in line to operate the facility when it has been developed as a multimodal deepwater port and supply chain facility with the capability of handling some of the world’s largest container ships, at 22,000TEU.
According to a company statement, discussions are at an early stage, but the terminal would be located some 50 miles up-river from the Gulf of Mexico and would offer transportation to and from the terminal by road, rail and barge.
Inland waterways have been an under-used resource in the US according to Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel who has studied European barge operations with a view to increasing the use of waterways in the US to cut congestion and to cut carbon emissions.
Read Container News' exclusive interview on inland waterways with Carl Bentzel
“The agreement represents a formal discussion phase whereby both parties will conduct multiple studies prior to making a final investment decision. The proposed, environmentally friendly terminal will be powered by a combination of LNG and electricity,” said a joint statement.
Plans for the Plaquemines terminal envisage a 2,500m river waterfront with a terminal area totalling 400hectares, operating modern infrastructure and port technology to limit noise and emissions.
PPHTD executive director, Sandy Sanders said, “Along with our partners American Patriot Holdings and Louisiana 23 Development Company, Plaquemines Port has engineered a logistics business model to attract private investment dollars and new cargo to Louisiana.”
Louisiana 23 Development Company, LLC (Devco), serves as the exclusive private development partner for Plaquemines Port, providing financial solutions and funding alternatives to support port development such as rail, warehousing and utilities. American Patriot Holdings, will provide marine transportation services to the Port’s inland partner network including St. Louis, Memphis, Joliet, Kansas City, Cairo, and Western Arkansas.
