The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted the federal permit authorizing construction of the Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish. This was announced by the Port of New Orleans announced Monday (Aug. 17). This terminal alongside others such as the Virginia Container Terminal will reinstate the United States as a leading maritime logistics hub globally.
“Today’s permit turns years of engineering, environmental review, and partnership into forward motion.” Port of New Orleans president and CEO Beth Branch said in a statement.
“This is not simply a regional port expansion, it is nationally significant infrastructure. It will expand American export capacity and position Louisiana to lead the next generation of maritime commerce. We are ready to build.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the permit approval “a defining moment not just for Louisiana, but for the entire country.”
Landry added, “The Louisiana International Terminal will stimulate economic growth. Additionally, it will cement Louisiana’s role as the nation’s gateway to global trade. This investment will expand opportunities for American businesses and workers. Moreover, it will lift up opportunities for Louisiana families, and ensure Louisiana remains a driving force in the nation’s future.”
Cost
The project will cost $1.8 billion and will be executed via a public-private investment. Furthermore, the project will create a new shipping port near Violet in St. Bernard Parish, targeted for opening in 2028. The facility is designed to handle massive container ships with 50-foot drafts and extended lengths, widths and heights. Some of the container ships would not pass to the Port of New Orleans further upriver beneath the Crescent City Connection bridge.
“Right now, the largest container ships can’t get to Louisiana or to the Port of New Orleans,” Branch said at a community meeting in May 2025. “This terminal changes that.”
Upon completion, the new deepwater shipping facility is envisioned to improve the supply chain of commercial container. Furthermore, it will improve supply chain of large vessels for 32 states that have railroad, navigable tributaries or direct access to the Mississippi River.
Moreover, backed by a public-private partnership comprised of Port NOLA, Terminal Investment Limited (the port terminal operating arm of MSC) and Ports America, the project has advanced through federal review with bipartisan support from Louisiana’s congressional delegation, state officials and regional economic development leaders.
It also has drawn opposition from St. Bernard Parish residents concerned about the impact on traffic and the environment. Port NOLA has acquired more than 1,200 acres of land in Violet. Approximately 400 acres are expected to be utilized for the terminal, supporting infrastructure and designated buffer zones.
Economic Impact
Additionally, LIT proponents have projected the project will add 18,000 jobs and more than $1 billion in tax revenue to the region by 2050.
Port NOLA said the terminal is expected to accept between 180,000-280,000 containers in its first year. The number of containers passing through the terminal is expected to grow over time. Ultimately, they would reach a maximum annual capacity of 1.2 million containers in as many as 25 years.
“This is one of the most strategically significant terminal investments in our global portfolio,” Ammar Kanaan, CEO of Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), said in a statement. “The Mississippi River corridor gives the United States a chance to build deepwater capacity that rivals any port in the world. We’re proud to invest alongside Port NOLA and Ports America in a project that strengthens America’s position in global trade for decades to come.”
The Port of New Orleans submitted its permit application for the project to the Army Corps of Engineers in December 2021. The Corps solicited feedback from two public notices in 2022 and another in December 2024. It also spent the past three years completing studies on the project’s impacts on both human and natural environments before greenlighting the terminal.
Michael Thomas, chairman of the board of commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, said the federal permit clears the final hurdle for the project.
“This permit reflects what is possible when bold vision is matched by disciplined planning and strong partnership,” Thomas said in a statement. “The Louisiana International Terminal will create lasting opportunities for our communities. Furthermore, it will strengthen America’s supply chain, and ensure Louisiana remains at the forefront of global commerce for generations to come.”
Project Factsheet
Official Name: Louisiana International Terminal (LIT)
Location: Violet, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana (Mississippi River corridor)
Footprint: 1,200 total acres acquired; ~400 acres dedicated to terminal, infrastructure, and buffer zones
Total Investment: $1.8 billion public-private investment
Key Partners: Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), Terminal Investment Limited (TiL / MSC), and Ports America
Target Opening: 2028 (first berth operational)
Key Design Specs: Handles deep-draft container ships up to 50-foot draft with unlimited length, width, and height (avoids Crescent City Connection bridge clearance limits)
Throughout output Capacity: Year 1: 180,000 – 280,000 containers
Peak Capacity: Up to 1.2 million containers/year (within 25 years)
Economic and Tax Impact: Jobs: 18,000 projected total jobs created by 2050
Tax Revenue: $1+ billion projected regional tax revenue by 2050
Multimodal Reach: Access to 4 interstate highways, 6 Class I railroads (via New Orleans Public Belt), and 14,500 miles of navigable inland water states connecting 32 states.
Project Team
Project Lead and Public Authority
- Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA): Public sponsor responsible for master planning, land acquisition, site design, infrastructure integration, and overall project construction oversight.
Private Terminal Operating Partners and Joint Venture
- Louisiana International Terminal Holdings LLC: Active joint venture entity established by the private investment partners to manage terminal operations.
- Terminal Investment Limited (TiL): Global container terminal investment/operating arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC Group), co-investor and terminal operator.
- Ports America: Largest terminal operator and stevedoring company in North America, co-investor and joint venture partner.
Program Management and Engineering
- HDR Engineering: Program management consultant assisting Port NOLA with design review and construction management. Also, it is the program management consultant contractor for oversight, and coordination with future terminal operators.
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