St. Bernard Port Sees Significant Growth at Violet Terminal

Now in its third year of cargo operations, the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District’s Violet Terminal has seen significant growth in cargo handling. There have been numerous capital improvements and several closings on properties adjacent to the Terminal. Capital improvements include security fencing, surveillance equipment, dockside electrical and structural repairs. Land purchased was outparcels, as well as several buildings and grounds that extend into the main Terminal, but had separate owners. These investments cost over $1,800,000.00, but have vastly improved the Terminal’s efficiency and security.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, four (4) ships called upon the Violet Terminal and they yielded combined cargo tonnage of 19,800 short tons of dry bulk cargo that was trans-loaded by Associated Terminals of St. Bernard.

During the first full year of cargo operations, the Violet Terminal saw substantial growth in cargo handling tonnage. There was an increase in both dry bulk tonnage, 206,000 short tons, and breakbulk tonnage, 48,000 short tons, resulting in 254,000 tons of total cargo transfers.

A corresponding increase in ship calls from four (4) in 2015 to forty-one (41) in 2016 also was recorded at the Violet Terminal. The tonnage and ship calls per quarter averaged 63,500 short tons and 10.1 ships, respectively, in 2016.

As of the end of May, 2017, calculations show a total of 416,800 short tons of cargo transfers of all types have taken place in Violet, with 258,000 tons of dry bulk and 158,600 tons of breakbulk. Also, thirty-four (34) ships have made the Violet Terminal their port of call during this same period. The momentum in cargo tonnage growth is expected to keep rolling throughout the year.

“The Violet Terminal saw 271,000 short tons of cargo handled in just the first quarter of 2017, which is more than the total cargo than was handled in all of 2016,” said Drew Heaphy, Executive Director of the Port. “Looking forward, the Violet Terminal is on pace to handle more than 1,000,000 short tons of cargo, and to have more than 80 ocean-going vessel calls for the calendar year 2017.”

The addition of the Violet Terminal to St. Bernard Port’s portfolio of facilities has increased the ability to handle more general cargo at the Arabi Terminal. The Meraux and Chalmette Mid-Stream Mooring Facilities also benefit from the greater capacity to berth ships and transfer a variety of cargos.