The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has announced that its Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project is officially registered with the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, becoming the first new container terminal in the United States and the first Louisiana project to achieve this milestone.
Developed by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), Envision is a globally recognized framework for evaluating infrastructure projects based on sustainability across their entire lifecycle. It assesses environmental, social, and economic performance using a set of criteria, with ratings ranging from verified to platinum.
According to Beth Branch, President and CEO of Port NOLA, the decision aligns the LIT project with rigorous standards: “Registering with Envision is another example of how Port NOLA is setting the standard for future-focused, responsible growth. The Louisiana International Terminal will be transformative for our region, and this milestone ensures that we are building it in a way that reflects the best practices in sustainability, accountability, and community engagement.”
A National First for Container Terminal Development
The Louisiana International Terminal is the first new container terminal in the U.S. to register under Envision, signaling a significant precedent for other port authorities and terminal operators. The project highlights how maritime infrastructure can integrate sustainability measures into large-scale construction.
By adopting the Envision framework, Port NOLA commits to third-party verification that increases transparency and encourages collaboration among government agencies, engineering teams, contractors, and local stakeholders. The process is designed to demonstrate measurable outcomes rather than abstract sustainability claims.
Emily Federer, Port NOLA’s Director of Sustainable Development, said the initiative underscores long-term priorities: “We are expanding our capacity to serve global trade and doing so in a way that meets our industry’s needs while safeguarding the needs of future generations, our environment, strengthening community trust, setting a precedent for sustainable infrastructure development in the maritime sector.”
Envision Framework and Industry Implications
The ISI framework evaluates infrastructure projects on several dimensions:
- Environmental performance, including resource efficiency and resilience to climate impacts.
- Social responsibility, focusing on community engagement and worker well-being.
- Economic resilience, emphasizing long-term value and responsible governance.
Projects that register with Envision gain recognition for sustainability in procurement processes, enhance visibility with the public, and improve collaboration among agencies and contractors. For ports, this approach also supports accountability in balancing trade expansion with environmental protection.
ISI President and CEO Anthony Kane praised Port NOLA’s decision: “Port NOLA’s leadership in registering the Louisiana International Terminal with Envision demonstrates its dedication to embedding sustainability at the heart of one of the nation’s most important infrastructure projects. This project will serve as an example to ports and terminal operators everywhere of how to use Envision as a pathway toward measurable, responsible, and lasting impact.”
Strategic Importance for Gulf and U.S. Trade
The Louisiana International Terminal represents one of the Gulf region’s largest infrastructure investments. Positioned on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico, Port NOLA provides access to more than 30 major inland hubs, including Dallas, Memphis, Chicago, and Canadian destinations, supported by 14,500 miles of waterways, six Class I railroads, and interstate highway links.
Registering with Envision places the terminal among infrastructure projects aiming to combine capacity growth with sustainability. The project is expected to strengthen Port NOLA’s role as a vital link between global shipping routes and America’s industrial and agricultural centers.
