New Orleans 2012 box volume down 2.9pc as breakbulk throughput rises THE Port of New Orleans posted a 2.9 per cent container volume decrease to 463,147 TEU year on year, which port president and CEO Gary LaGrange blamed on the uncertain global economic climate.
"The Port of New Orleans' main trading partner is Europe and many European nations are struggling right now and not restocking inventories as quickly as in years past," Mr LaGrange said.
"Despite that, we are working diligently to grow new markets and build upon successful ones to deliver benefits to all of our customers and tenants," he said.
Total container tonnage rose by 38 tons compared to 2011 at 4.114 million tons, which represented zero year-on-year growth. Overall, total general cargo tonnages at the port rose by 8.6 per cent to 7.55 million tons in 2012 compared to the previous year driven by growth in steel imports and chemical exports, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
It said 38 per cent higher imported steel volumes along with other break-bulk cargo gains led to a third straight year of healthy tonnage increases at the port.
Steel imports handled by the port in 2012 rose to 1.922 million tons, up from 1.389 million tons in 2011. Other top performing commodities included chemical exports, up by 5.4 per cent year-on-year to 1.75 million tons. Poultry and other agriculture exports were up 22.8 per cent to 496,000 tons.
Highlights of 2012 included the port completing several cargo projects, which are expected to boost volume. Two new postpanamax gantry cranes able to reach 19 containers across went to work, along with a new 40,000-square-foot Riverfront Cold Storage Facility, and expanded and improved marshalling yards at several wharfs.
"The Port of New Orleans' main trading partner is Europe and many European nations are struggling right now and not restocking inventories as quickly as in years past," Mr LaGrange said.
"Despite that, we are working diligently to grow new markets and build upon successful ones to deliver benefits to all of our customers and tenants," he said.
Total container tonnage rose by 38 tons compared to 2011 at 4.114 million tons, which represented zero year-on-year growth. Overall, total general cargo tonnages at the port rose by 8.6 per cent to 7.55 million tons in 2012 compared to the previous year driven by growth in steel imports and chemical exports, reports the American Journal of Transportation.
It said 38 per cent higher imported steel volumes along with other break-bulk cargo gains led to a third straight year of healthy tonnage increases at the port.
Steel imports handled by the port in 2012 rose to 1.922 million tons, up from 1.389 million tons in 2011. Other top performing commodities included chemical exports, up by 5.4 per cent year-on-year to 1.75 million tons. Poultry and other agriculture exports were up 22.8 per cent to 496,000 tons.
Highlights of 2012 included the port completing several cargo projects, which are expected to boost volume. Two new postpanamax gantry cranes able to reach 19 containers across went to work, along with a new 40,000-square-foot Riverfront Cold Storage Facility, and expanded and improved marshalling yards at several wharfs.