Governor Jeff Landry Backs Louisiana International Terminal as Port of New Orleans Advances Major Infrastructure Project

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^{Matt Leech, President & CEO of Ports America; Beth Branch, President & CEO of Port NOLA; Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry; Michael A. Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Port NOLA; Ammar Kanaan, CEO of TiL; Michael Hecht, President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc.}

Governor Jeff Landry has voiced his strong support for the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT), a major infrastructure project poised to reshape Louisiana’s role in global trade and strengthen its port and logistics ecosystem.

Speaking after a meeting with Ports America CEO Matthew Leech and Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) CEO Ammar Kanaan, Governor Jeff Landry reaffirmed the state’s commitment to advancing the multibillion-dollar project, calling it a vital step toward long-term economic growth, job creation, and trade expansion along the Gulf Coast.

“For generations, Louisiana’s prosperity has been driven by trade, and this project secures our place as an economic powerhouse for generations to come,” Landry stated. “The Louisiana International Terminal is a visionary, strategic investment—uniting robust local leadership, forward-thinking private partnership, and vital federal support.”

Located in St. Bernard Parish, the new terminal is being developed by the Port of New Orleans in collaboration with TiL and Ports America. With construction slated to begin by the end of 2025, the terminal will significantly expand port capacity and modernize regional logistics infrastructure. It will connect to key inland markets via road, rail, and river systems—an upgrade industry professionals have long anticipated.

The LIT project is one of the largest federal investments in a U.S. container terminal to date. It has been carefully shaped through several years of state, federal, and local planning. Once operational, the terminal is expected to create thousands of jobs across both construction and permanent operations, while also increasing the state’s container throughput and trade volume.

Beth Branch, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, described the project as “our gateway to global opportunity,” noting that Landry’s backing reinforces the momentum needed to move the terminal forward. “With Governor Landry’s leadership, this once-in-a-generation investment will advance with the support it deserves.”

Ammar Kanaan, CEO of Terminal Investment Limited, said TiL brings global expertise in terminal operations to the project, with the aim of transforming how goods move through Louisiana. “This partnership will not only expand the Port’s capacity and connectivity but also spur sustainable economic growth and opportunity for local communities,” Kanaan said.

Matthew Leech, CEO of Ports America, echoed those remarks, emphasizing the company’s longstanding relationship with Louisiana. “Ports America has operated in Louisiana for over a century and remains deeply committed to the state’s economic success,” he said. “We are proud to partner with Governor Landry and the Port of New Orleans to build a world-class terminal that delivers long-term value for Louisiana’s workers, businesses, and communities.”

The project will also bolster the region’s resilience. With enhanced infrastructure, the terminal will improve safety standards and support climate-adaptive logistics. Multimodal access—particularly the strategic location near major inland transportation corridors—will allow shippers to benefit from faster cargo movement and more flexible routing options.

While exact job numbers were not disclosed, officials expect construction employment in the thousands, with a similarly large number of long-term roles in operations, transportation, warehousing, and terminal management once the terminal is active.

The Port of New Orleans has spent years working with environmental regulators, community groups, and local governments to ensure that development aligns with sustainability and economic equity goals. The LIT terminal is seen as a critical solution to address existing port congestion and capacity limitations across the Gulf region.

The Louisiana International Terminal is currently in pre-construction planning and permitting. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with the terminal slated to become a major hub for containerized trade in the southern U.S.