ST. BERNARD ENTERS INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH CORN BELT PORTS
The St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District is included in a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between Corn Belt Ports and lower Mississippi River Louisiana ports. This agreement will increase infrastructure advancements and business developments and “unify the Upper and Lower Mississippi River ports to support mutual interests.” The essential goals of the agreement include expanding global markets for U.S. Agricultural Products, support for federal port and waterways infrastructure investment, navigation channel maintenance, support for MARAD Marine Highway Programs, and much more.
According to the Corn Belt Ports press release, “Corn Belt Ports is the four federally recognized rural, regional, multi-modal, inland ports within the Corn Belt’s Lock and Dam System on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway. Through continued investment and innovative organizing, Corn Belt Ports supports the integrity and sustainability of the supply chain.” The other ports included in this agreement include Plaquemine Port, Harbor and Terminal District, Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Port of New Orleans, and Port of South Louisiana. “The St. Bernard Port is honored to be a part of this agreement.” Executive Director Drew Heaphy said. “This agreement will allow the lower Mississippi port to have direct communication to Corn Belt Ports which will produce more innovative and efficient transportation of agricultural products.”
The agreement was signed on Friday, September 20, 2024, after Corn Belt Ports Executive Director, Bob Sinkler, gave a brief presentation on the significance of the CEA. For more information about the St. Bernard port, visit www.stbernardport.com.
Drew M. Heaphy, (far right, red tie) Executive Director of the St. Bernard Port, with the Port of New Orleans, Port of South Louisiana, Plaquemines Port, and Port of Greater Baton Rouge after signing the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with Corn Belt Port.
