A new jewel in the crown?
Inland navigation is frequently as neglected as a mode of transport, both in the USA as well as in Europe. Recent public investment in the segment has prompted private operators to bank on the dawning of a new era too, as a recent move shows.
Inland navigation in the USA has once again been the target of public investment – after a rather long slumber (see page 22 of ITJ 5-6 / 2020). Private operators, too, are becoming more active again now. Associated Terminals has purchased the New Orleans Bulk Terminal, and brought the facility’s founder and previous owner on board right away.
Associated Terminals, founded in 1990, has rounded out its overall portfolio in the Mississippi catchment area through this latest acquisition. The inland waterway and logistics operator’s various locations and facilities include the port of St Bernard’s Chalmette Slip, Globalplex in the port of South Louisiana, the Port Manchac Intermodal Terminal, the Port of Baton Rouge / Port Allen and the Myrtle Grove Midstream Terminal.
Facilities and customers
The newly-acquired New Orleans Bulk Terminal is located along the Michoud Slip, directly on the 4,800 km ‘Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway’ stretching from Boston to the Gulf of Mexico. The 202 km² facility near New Orleans was built in 2008 by founder and owner Larry Arnold, who was also the gateway’s managing partner. The terminal runs multimodal operations and also offers its customers direct connections to the CSX rail network. Blocktrains can be handled directly on site.
Todd Fuller, the president of Associated Terminals, said that he was very satisfied with his company’s latest move. “The terminal will provide us with a new customer base, and simultaneously also offer use new freight handling opportunities for existing clients”. Arnold, who has been in the business for more than 32 years, will remain at the helm after the transaction has been completed and continue to manage the terminal.
