Port
of
New Orleans President and CEO
Gary LaGrange touted those achievements during the 26th
Annual State of the Port Address today. “During the last few years we have seen a major economic resurgence, as our City provides the right conditions to encourage economic development and business investments,” LaGrange told the more than 200 stakeholders gathered at the Marriott Convention Center.
To plan that future,
LaGrange applauded state Sen. Conrad Appel for his efforts
establishing the Louisiana Office of International Commerce,
a 23-member board housed within the Louisiana Economic
Development Office, created during the 2012 Regular Session
of the Louisiana Legislature. The Board’s goal is to
formulate a single vision for Louisiana’s trade community.
The intention is to build upon recent investments made by
the Board of Commissioners of the Port. In May Port
officials joined
Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne to dedicate the Port’s new $20.1
million Julia Street Cruise Terminal, which more than
doubled the Port’s cruise capacity.
In addition to investments in new projects, as of the end of
the 2012 fiscal year, the Board had completed $94 million
worth of repairs to facilities damaged by the storms of
2005.
“And I cannot leave out our customers and tenants, whose
investments in equipment and facilities port-wide is sure to
top the $100 million mark,” LaGrange said.
All of these investments, both public and private, increase
opportunities for shippers within the Port and add to
tonnage figures.
“I want to thank Louisiana’s entire Congressional delegation
for supporting this vital project, as well as
Mayor Mitch Landrieu,”
LaGrange said. “All of their support was critical to being
awarded the highly competitive grant.”
LaGrange highlighted a record year for the cruise industry,
as well. In 2012, the Port welcomed two year-round Carnival
Cruise Line ships – the Carnival Conquest sailing year-round
seven-day itineraries and the Carnival Elation sailing four-
and five-day itineraries. In addition, the Port welcomed
Royal Caribbean’s 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas, the
largest cruise ship to ever call on the Port, and Norwegian
Cruise Line’s 2,018-passenger Norwegian Spirit. Both are
replaced this year with newer and larger vessels, Royal
Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas and the Norwegian Star.
“2011 was a record year for the cruise industry in New
Orleans and in 2012 we plan to break the 1-million-passenger
mark,” LaGrange said. “New Orleans is a favorite home-port
for the cruise industry and one of the fastest-growing
cruise ports in the nation.”
According to Cruise Lines International Association, cruise
line spending in Louisiana topped $280 million in 2011 – up
35 percent compared to the year before.
“And we believe we will far exceed that impact this year,”
LaGrange said.
To build upon cruise gains, the Port plans to begin
construction on a third cruise ship terminal at its Poland
Avenue Wharf, just downriver from
the historic French Quarter, in 2013.
“All of these efforts are with eyes focused on building
toward future success,” and to continue to attract visitors
from throughout the nation who enjoy cruising from New
Orleans,” LaGrange
said.
