Louisiana News

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded $4.85 million in grants to five marine highway projects across the nation via the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP). The funding will enhance the movement of goods along our navigable waterways while expanding existing waterborne freight services in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Washington, and West Virginia.The USMHP aims to expand the use of the nation’s navigable waterways to relieve landside congestion, support new and more efficient transportation options, and enhance performance of the surface transportation system. The program works with public…

American Cruise Lines announced its line-up for 2025, including more new ships, 8 new itineraries, and the longest river cruise in the country, the 51-Day Great United States. 2025 offerings also feature an array of exclusive U.S. cruises, including bucket-list adventures exploring U.S. National Parks from Alaska to Wyoming to the Smoky Mountains. Next year, the world’s only 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships, will sail over 50 different itineraries, including brand new cruises on the Mississippi River…

Donald Trump's transition team is putting together a wide-ranging energy package to roll out within days of his taking office that would approve export permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and increase oil drilling off the U.S. coast and on federal lands, according to two sources familiar with the plans.The energy checklist largely reflects promises Trump made on the campaign trail, but the plan to roll out the list as early as day one ensures that oil and gas production will rank alongside immigration as a pillar of Trump's early agenda.Trump…

Norwegian crane specialist Motus Technology has secured a contract to provide its cranes and handling equipment for National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Class B research vessels.Working in collaboration with Kongsberg Maritime, Motus’ new contract follows the equipment supply deal for NOAA’s Class A vessels in 2021.Motus will provide its CTD (Telescopic Deploy and Retrieval Arm), along with the MMC10 and MMC240 cranes.These systems are designed to operate effectively in tough marine environments…

Australia's Woodside Energy WDS.AX expects the global market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) to grow by 50% in the coming decade, its CEO said on Tuesday."Over the last decade the LNG market grew by 50%. We anticipate it will grow by another 50% in the coming decade," Meg O’Neill told the Energy Intelligence Forum in London.O'Neill said the company had received interest from a lot of onshore gas players and other companies to partner with its Driftwood LNG project and talks were ongoing."We've got the balance sheet to fund our 50%.

Donald Trump's transition team is putting together a wide-ranging energy package to roll out within days of his taking office that would approve export permits for new liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and increase oil drilling off the U.S. coast and on federal lands, according to two sources familiar with the plans.The energy checklist largely reflects promises Trump made on the campaign trail, but the plan to roll out the list as early as day one ensures that oil and gas…

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today announced its newly elected Board of Directors and officers who will serve for the 2024-2025 term. These port leaders, representing a diverse range of expertise and regions, are poised to guide AAPA’s efforts to advance the maritime and port industries. The elections occurred October 28 during AAPA’s 113th Annual Convention in Boston, MA, one of the largest gatherings of port professionals in the organization’s history, with over 800 attendees. The newly elected officials include: • Chair of the Board: Chett Chiasson, Executive Director, Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC): Chiasson has 17 years of experience at GLPC…

Michael A. Thomas outlines plan to Deliver Louisiana’s Future in competitive global trade market and complex geopolitical landscape. During the 36th annual event in partnership with the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans (IFFCBANO), Michael A. Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) and of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission, gave the 2024 State of the Port Address, “Delivering Louisiana’s Future -Together,” to nearly 250 community, business and elected leaders.

Louisiana-based Conrad Industries announced a net income of $7.5 million for the quarter ending September 30, 2024.This compared to a $3.2 million loss during the third quarter of 2023. The company had net income of $11.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net loss of $14.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.The increase in net income is primarily due to improved gross profits in the company’s new construction segment and collection of a judgment in a lawsuit.

American Commercial Barge Line (ACBL) and C&C Marine and Repair have christened the M/V ACBL Mariner, said to be the most powerful and capable towboat ever built for operations on the Mississippi River.The christening ceremony took place in New Orleans in the presence of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.The ACBL Mariner boasts 11,000 horsepower, and can push up to 64 barges up the river at one time. The vessel is 50 ft wide and 250 ft long, making it the largest inland towboat in the United States.Also…

U.S. liquefied natural gas developers awaiting permits for new export projects this week expressed confidence President-elect Donald Trump will ease the way for their multi-billion-dollar expansion plans.Their confidence is buoyed by Trump's promise to end an expanded Department of Energy review that has slowed new export permits. President Joe Biden had paused new non-FTA export permits and asked the DOE to more broadly evaluate the cumulative effects of new LNG projects' climate…

Federal regulators on Wednesday gave Venture Global LNG permission to introduce natural gas into its Plaquemines export plant in Louisiana, documents show, moving the plant a step closer to producing the superchilled gas.The 20 million metric tons per annum (MTPA) Plaquemines LNG plant will be the second-largest U.S. export facility when fully operational. It and other projects due to start next year will help the United States retain its position as the world's largest exporter of the gas.Its commercial startup will make Venture Global the second-largest U.S.

Mobile, AL-based Blakeley BoatWorks has announced the completion and delivery of Hull 107, formally named M/V Claire Ellen, to Cooper Marine’s Louisiana operations.Designed by Farrell and Norton and built by Blakeley BoatWorks, the 70-foot long, 28-foot wide, 1,600 horsepower vessel is fully compliant with the latest United States Coast Guard Subchapter M regulatory requirements. The new pushboat is the sixth 70 foot workboat delivered by Blakeley to to Cooper Marine-Louisiana.

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Board of Commissioners has announced the appointment of Beth Ann Branch as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2024. Branch, a highly regarded expert in global maritime strategy with over 20 years of experience in transportation and logistics, will also serve as CEO of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB). She succeeds Ronald Wendel Jr., who has been serving as Acting President and CEO during a crucial transitional phase…

Woodside has completed the acquisition of Tellurian Inc. and its US Gulf Coast Driftwood LNG development opportunity.Woodside has acquired all issued and outstanding Tellurian common stock for approximately $1.00 per share to bring the value of the transaction to approximately $1,200 million.Woodside has also renamed the Driftwood LNG development opportunity Woodside Louisiana LNG.Woodside Louisiana LNG is an under-construction, pre-final investment decision (FID), LNG production and export terminal in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.

Amidst sensational headlines and questionable policy decisions from Washington, D.C., the U.S. offshore energy sector stands resilient. This vital industry not only powers our nation with reliable energy but also enables hundreds of thousands of jobs across all 50 states and strengthens national security. From the Gulf of Mexico to the burgeoning offshore wind farms along the East Coast, the resilience and innovation of this sector are critical to driving economic growth and ensuring our nation’s energy security.The Gulf of Mexico has long been a cornerstone of U.S.

American Offshore Services (A-O-S) has deployed its hybrid-ready crew transfer vessel (CTV) to support the offshore wind industry on the U.S. East Coast.The M/V Generater CTV is the second vessel in the A-O-S’ G-Class series, which has been delivered from Metal Shark Boats in Louisiana.The G-Class vessels are designed to transport technical personnel and essential equipment to offshore wind farms, and have the capacity to accommodate 24 passengers.The vessel has been designed for future hybrid integration…

The operators of a Panama-registered tanker have been fined $2 million and the ship's captain sentenced to eight months in prison over charges stemming from environmental violations in the United States, the Department of Justice announced. Dubai-based Prive Overseas Marine LLC and Turkey-based Prive Shipping Denizcilik Ticaret, the two corporations that operated the motor tanker P/S Dream, were sentenced in federal court in New Orleans to pay a $2 million criminal penalty and complete four years of probation.

Metal Shark, a Louisiana-based boat builder, has delivered the first of two cutting-edge 50-foot welded-aluminum fireboats to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in Annapolis, Md. These new vessels are set to enhance emergency response capabilities across Chesapeake Bay, safeguarding over 500 miles of shoreline.Designed in-house and built at Metal Shark's Franklin, La. shipyard, the 50 Defiant NXT monohull fireboats feature advanced technology that improves response times, firefighting effectiveness and safety for firefighters, the builder said.

Autonomous underwater robotics solutions provider Greensea IQ announced a it is partnering with Baker Marine Solutions (BMS) to expand its innovative hull cleaning service offering in Louisiana ports.BMS will serve as a subcontractor and sales representative for Greensea IQ’s EverClean hull cleaning service throughout Louisiana, including at the Port of New Orleans, and expand the EverClean brand into new regional markets.BMS, a Covington, La. based provider of marine and offshore expertise…

U.S. Gulf of Mexico energy firms on Friday were lumbering back from hurricane disruptions as offshore oil and gas producers ramped up operations after halving the key energy region's output, ports reopened, and onshore terminals accepted oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers.Hurricane Francine shut in up to 42% of the region's offshore oil and 53% of its natural gas production. The storm missed Texas and came ashore in Louisiana late on Tuesday, causing flooding and power problems that affected onshore terminals and ports that withstood 100 mph (161 kph) winds.The port of New Orleans…

U.S. liquefied natural gas export terminals on the Louisiana coast may have escaped the brunt of Hurricane Francine and put off a major test of their ability to withstand a direct storm hit to another day.Francine was on track on Wednesday to lash south-central Louisiana, east of Cameron Parish that is home to several of the newly operating projects, with 90 mile-per-hour (145 kph) winds. Three of the four largest U.S. LNG export facilities are in Louisiana."This hurricane seems to be avoiding the majority of the LNG facility corridor…