Page 45: of Marine News Magazine (June 2017)

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Plaquemines Port Complex is located at mile 53-55 on the lower Mississippi River.

It is the southernmost of the 5 major deep-water ports on the river.

AROUND THE BEND go to a port facility with a crane working at 10 lifts per hour.

Port of? cials expect the project to be built in phases, “It is critical that the system is optimized in all locations,” involving land assembly as well as green? eld development. Sanders said, adding that “we have tentative meeting dates

An initial phase will include a recently announced $8.5 with upriver port management teams to discuss locations and billion LNG re-liquefaction facility, a break bulk terminal facility amenities that could be available in these locations.” and a state-of-the-art container terminal expected to com- Still very much a work in progress, the partnership and prise approximately 1000 acres. “The project will be done proposed infrastructure investments also represent possibly in phases,” Sanders said, “depending on investment and the most ambitious shortsea gamble in decades. It prom- market conditions. The project could begin in as little as ises shorter transit times for cargoes, cleaner air though the 90 days on a mid-streaming basis.” removal of trucks from the Interstate Highways, less wear

Plaquemines of? cials are thinking about all of this. They and tear on the roads, reduced congestion for commuters said that possible upriver sites “may be existing facilities or and a competitively priced alternative to current freight developed from green? elds and that existing terminals may options. There is, therefore, little to lose and everything to need to be updated with more modern cranes to expedite gain by trying.

loading and unloading of containers from our vessels.” Paired cities will also need intermodal connectivity. Obviously, this will take cooperation – and investments – in markets and

Tom Ewing is a freelance writer specializing in territories well beyond the control of Plaquemines of? cials. A energy and environmental issues.

vessel with 2,400 TEUs, priced for speed and timeliness, can’t 45 www.marinelink.com MN