MikeyF
VIP Contributor
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Line to west coast of S. America set
Thursday, March 13, 2008
By Jen DeGregorio
A European shipping company has agreed to bring more containerized cargo to the Port
of New Orleans, a move observers said proves that New Orleans can compete with
other Gulf Coast ports.
Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Wednesday that it will immediately open a direct
shipping line between New Orleans and docks on the west coast of South America,
adding one vessel call per week to the port's container terminal at the foot of Napoleon
Avenue.
MSC already brings two ships per week to Napoleon Avenue from wharves on the east
coast of South America and in Europe. The new service is "a coup" that will bring New
Orleans more business from a major shipper, said Conrad Appel, a former chairman of
the Dock Board of the Port of New Orleans who advises GNO Inc. on maritime issues.
"What this means is that New Orleans can be considered a blooming but potentially
major player in the container ship trade," Appel said. "It demonstrates their confidence
in the Port of New Orleans as a gateway."
MSC's decision follows news that the company forged a partnership with Ceres Gulf
Inc., one of two stevedores that operate the Napoleon Avenue terminal. Joined under the
banner New Orleans Terminals, MSC and Ceres Gulf soon will begin operating half of
the terminal. Upon announcing the partnership last year, port officials promised the
arrangement would result in more containerized cargo from MSC.
Allen Clifford, MSC's executive vice president, said New Orleans will play an important
role in his company's future. He declined to comment about other locations the
company considered for the South American shipping service.
"I think that New Orleans has positioned itself as a very, very significant port in the
Gulf," Clifford said. "New Orleans has a good intermodal system. It is situated in an
area that can capture other cargoes from other areas in other states."
http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-1/120538672959150.xml&coll=1
Thursday, March 13, 2008
By Jen DeGregorio
A European shipping company has agreed to bring more containerized cargo to the Port
of New Orleans, a move observers said proves that New Orleans can compete with
other Gulf Coast ports.
Mediterranean Shipping Co. said Wednesday that it will immediately open a direct
shipping line between New Orleans and docks on the west coast of South America,
adding one vessel call per week to the port's container terminal at the foot of Napoleon
Avenue.
MSC already brings two ships per week to Napoleon Avenue from wharves on the east
coast of South America and in Europe. The new service is "a coup" that will bring New
Orleans more business from a major shipper, said Conrad Appel, a former chairman of
the Dock Board of the Port of New Orleans who advises GNO Inc. on maritime issues.
"What this means is that New Orleans can be considered a blooming but potentially
major player in the container ship trade," Appel said. "It demonstrates their confidence
in the Port of New Orleans as a gateway."
MSC's decision follows news that the company forged a partnership with Ceres Gulf
Inc., one of two stevedores that operate the Napoleon Avenue terminal. Joined under the
banner New Orleans Terminals, MSC and Ceres Gulf soon will begin operating half of
the terminal. Upon announcing the partnership last year, port officials promised the
arrangement would result in more containerized cargo from MSC.
Allen Clifford, MSC's executive vice president, said New Orleans will play an important
role in his company's future. He declined to comment about other locations the
company considered for the South American shipping service.
"I think that New Orleans has positioned itself as a very, very significant port in the
Gulf," Clifford said. "New Orleans has a good intermodal system. It is situated in an
area that can capture other cargoes from other areas in other states."
http://www.nola.com/business/t-p/index.ssf?/base/money-1/120538672959150.xml&coll=1