Port of New Orleans Inks MOU to Explore LNG Bunkering

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a subsidiary of Seacor Holdings to bring liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling to the port.

The MOU was signed with CLEANCOR Energy Solutions and seeks to find ways to provide LNG fueling solutions within the port’s jurisdiction to ship owners and operators of LNG-powered ships. Both will work to identify, attract and serve customers that use LNG fuel, jointly solicit sources of grant funding to help incentivize early adopters, and collaborate to share information on infrastructure necessary to support LNG bunkering.

The Port of New Orleans will provide CLEANCOR with data, logistics expertise, customer contacts, as well as introductions and marketing support. Meanwhile, CLEANCOR will work to educate Port NOLA customers and other local stakeholders regarding the environmental and financial benefits of LNG bunkering.

“We are pleased to partner on this MOU with CLEANCOR to ensure we provide Port NOLA tenants and customers with the best options for the most efficient and effective operations,” said Brandy D. Christian, President and CEO Port NOLA and CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. “LNG paves the way of the future and provides a suitable and sustainable fuel source for the diverse cargo operations on our terminals and in our jurisdiction.”

In collaboration with Port NOLA, CLEANCOR will develop options for infrastructure development that integrate into Port NOLA’s long-range planning.

“CLEANCOR is proud to partner with the Port of New Orleans on the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure,” said Jeff Woods, CEO CLEANCOR. “Our mission is to accelerate the adoption of low carbon fueling solutions and this constitutes an exciting opportunity to not only advance the region’s first such project, but also to contribute to the decarbonization of the maritime sector.”

CLEANCOR will also provide options for LNG bunkering that are compatible with forecasted customer demand and collaborate with Port NOLA to obtain Federal, state, and other authorizations and permits needed to develop the required infrastructure and operations.

Furthermore, a proposed expansion of the Port NOLA complex with the addition of an international container terminal in St. Bernard Parish could open fuel source options.

Port NOLA primarily serves the cruise and cargo sectors, including container, breakbulk, heavy lift, temperature-sensitive cargo and bulk transload. It’s also the only deepwater container port in Louisiana, handling more than 500,000 TEU annually.

Port NOLA has existing strategic relationship with Seacor to provide one of the country’s largest container-on-barge operation, connecting Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Memphis and St. Louis. The service also repositions empty containers from Memphis and St. Louis to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, where they are then loaded with exports and shipped to global markets.

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