Volume at New Orleans hits 14 year high
The US port of New Orleans said that the volume of cargo at its public docks in 2014 totalled 8.37 million t - this equates to a 28% increase over the prior twelve month period, and the highest throughput since 2000. The hub also registered an all-time high in the container sector by handling 490,526 teu last year and now projects a volume of 500,000 teu for 2015.
The growth in 2014 was mainly driven by imported steel and containerised cargo, as imported iron and steel leapt by 101.6% in the 12-month-period to 3.54 million t. Breakbulk came in at 3.76 million t, up by 51.7% and container tonnage topped 4.61 million t, up 13.5% compared to 2013.
The total port-wide cargo throughput, which includes midstream operations, export grain and private tonnage within the port’s jurisdiction jumped by 27.68% to 31.05 million t. Many of the hub's top commodities realised healthy gains, as well.
New shippers, such as Chiquita, which returned to the port after a 40-year hiatus, and project cargo generated by the growing chemical industry, will bolster future cargo figures said Gary LaGrange, port president and CEO.
The port also registered the arrival of new weekly services, such as CMA CGM’s Victory Bridge service to Europe and the return of Maersk Line’s vessels. On top of that, a new Mississippi River intermodal terminal was established.
