Port NOLA President and CEO Beth Branch has been authorised to join a Cooperative Endeavour Agreement (CEA) with five Lower Mississippi River ports to create a joint marketing strategy, with support from Polaris Analytics & Consulting, L.L.C.
The five ports, Port of New Orleans, Port of South Louisiana, Port of Greater Baton Rouge, St. Bernard Port, and the Louisiana Gateway Port at Plaquemines Parish, will work together to promote Louisiana’s maritime gateway and strengthen its global competitiveness.
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“This CEA represents more than just a marketing initiative; it’s a commitment to cooperation, unity, and long-term vision for Louisiana’s ports,” said Beth Branch, President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB).
“By working together, the Lower Mississippi River ports can speak with one powerful voice and better position our state as a leader in global trade and logistics. We are proud to be taking this important step alongside our partners.”
This move supports Governor Jeff Landry’s Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, which is developing a strategic plan and targeted investment programme for the state’s maritime future.
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“For years, I’ve believed that the true strength of Louisiana’s maritime industry lies in our ability to work together,” said Former Port of New Orleans Board Chairman Joseph Toomy.
“This agreement represents more than a strategy; it’s a turning point that recognises the power of unity. By aligning our efforts, the Lower Mississippi River ports can create a future where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
The agreement with Polaris will result in a data-driven, stakeholder-informed strategy that showcases the collective port system, spurring economic growth, infrastructure investment, and job creation across South Louisiana.
Earlier this year, the port received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for its Louisiana International Terminal Sustainability Management Plan.
