Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans has been at the epicenter of American history since the first French explorer set foot on the riverbank in 1718. Wars were fought over it. Louisiana was purchased for it. Yet, the Port of New Orleans remains one of America's most modern and popular general cargo ports.

"The Port of New Orleans is America's gateway to the global marketplace. Our proximity to the Mississippi River and six class one rail lines facilitate the shipment of general cargo including manufactured and consumer goods, steel, coffee, wood products and natural rubber," says Gary LaGrange, executive director of the Port of New Orleans.

A new state-of-the-art container terminal is opening in the spring 2003 at the Napoleon Avenue Wharf on the Mississippi River.

The Port handles 11.4 million tons of general cargo on average every year. It serves 2000 vessels each year with massive facilities — 22 million square feet of cargo handling area and six million square feet of covered storage area.

In the last decade, the Port of New Orleans has invested nearly $300 million for improvements — new wharves, container terminals, multipurpose cranes and a roadway for truck traffic. Its expanded marshaling yards include a new 57-acre terminal scheduled to open this year.

Port users have direct rail service to anywhere in the country.

"New Orleans is also one of America's fastest growing cruise ports, with a half million passengers annually. A cruise itinerary beginning and ending in New Orleans offers passengers two vacation experiences in one trip," adds LaGrange.

An independent board of commissioners keeps the Port opening and running, representing the interests of Louisiana and the surrounding parishes of Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard.

The Port of Call:

• Serves 50 ocean carriers, 16 barge lines and 75 truck lines

• Owns 22 miles of wharves and terminals -- its two-mile quay is the world's longest wharf and can serve 15 vessels at once.

• Accounts for 107,000 jobs, $2 billion in earnings and $231 million in tax revenue.

• An 18-acre Foreign Trade Zone allows ships to unload merchandise without immediate U.S. Customs regulations.

For more information, contact Chris Bonura in Communications at bonurac@portno.com. Call (504) 528-3234. Fax (504) 528-3376. Write to Port of New Orleans, P.O. Box 60046, New Orleans, LA 70160; website: www.portno.com.