Port of South Louisiana Dedicates New Vessel
From left to right: Paul Zimmermann, Director of Operations, Port of New Orleans; Jay Hardman, Executive Director, Port of Greater Baton Rouge; Bobby Scafidel, Executive Director, Port of St. Bernard; Joel Chaisson, Executive Director, Port of South Louisiana; and Urban Treuil, Port Manager, Port of Plaquemines Parish. The Port of South Louisiana dedicated its newest security vessel, the PSL Responder, among hundreds of public officials, business representatives, and other guests at Globalplex Intermodal Terminal on the Mississippi River on August 15. The ship is the third security vessel in the Port’s fleet to patrol the Mississippi River and provide security in its 54-mile port district.
Port of New Orleans Damaged But Still Workable
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi River is now open in one direction to ships with a draft of 35 feet during daylight hours. Now that a route has been re-established to the Port of New Orleans and other ports on the lower Mississippi River, the port is bringing together all of the pieces that will allow it to be a major force in the reconstruction of New Orleans. "The Port of New Orleans' riverfront terminals survived Hurricane Katrina in fairly decent shape," said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. "In the next several weeks, almost all of the Port of New Orleans will be dedicated to military relief vessels. He added that many repairs will be needed though to bring the Port back to full capacity.
