The collaboration between St. Louis regional ports and the St. Louis Regional Freightway and the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is set to enhance the inland river cargo flow with the development of the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT). This $1.8 billion state-of-the-art container terminal project on the Gulf Coast holds the promise of transforming trade dynamics not only for Louisiana but also for the broader Southeast and Midwest regions.
The key highlight of this project is its ability to remove air-draft restrictions, enabling Port NOLA to accommodate vessels of all sizes. This development is expected to significantly amplify Louisiana’s import and export capacity and stimulate strategic inland growth.
The foundation of this partnership was laid in 2017 when the St. Louis region signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Port NOLA. Since then, cargo traffic between the heart of America and Port NOLA has seen a substantial increase, primarily attributed to the container-on-barge service. This service currently moves an impressive average of 30,000 TEUs annually, connecting New Orleans, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Memphis, and now St. Louis.
To further bolster this initiative, the St. Louis Regional Freightway is actively assisting the Port of New Orleans in seeking federal infrastructure funding for LIT.
The St. Louis region boasts a network of ports, including America’s Central Port in Granite City, Illinois; Port Authority of St. Louis in the City of St. Louis, Missouri; Kaskaskia Regional Port Authority in southwestern Illinois; and the Jefferson County Port Authority in Missouri, south of St. Louis.
The collaboration between these regions is geared towards optimizing intermodal river transportation, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of shipping containerized freight. By tapping into one of the nation’s most underutilized trade routes, they aim to address global supply chain disruptions effectively.
Brandy D. Christian, President & CEO of Port of New Orleans, expressed the significance of this collaboration, stating, “Port NOLA’s continued collaboration with the St. Louis Regional Freightway plays an important role in the continued success of our container-on-barge service which expands shipping options to inland markets while honoring our commitment to sustainability.”
The sentiment is echoed by industry leaders like Dennis Wilmsmeyer, Executive Director of America’s Central Port, and Derrick Good, Chairman of the Jefferson County Port Authority, who see substantial benefits for Midwest businesses and farmers in this endeavor.
The St. Louis region, with its strategic location, is well-equipped to leverage these opportunities. With six Class I railroads, proximity to four interstates, and access to the inland waterway system, it plays a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s global competitiveness.
Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi Modal Enterprises for Bi-State Development, emphasized the importance of projects like the Louisiana International Terminal, stating that they “will further benefit freight volume efficiency for agricultural commodities for regions like St. Louis and other inland ports.”
As the world’s population continues to grow, efficient transportation of agricultural products from America’s heartland becomes increasingly vital. The LIT project aligns with past federal investments in dredging the Mississippi River and is designed to accommodate the expanding container-on-barge volumes projected to exceed 200,000 TEUs by 2050.
This infrastructure investment is seen as a crucial step toward integrating various modes of transportation, harnessing the potential of the inland waterway system, and ensuring the nation’s competitiveness in global markets.
The Louisiana International Terminal project, backed by Ports America and Mediterranean Shipping Company, is set to commence construction in 2025, with the first berth expected to open in 2028.