Ocean cargo/global logistics: Port of New Orleans is cargo-ready after storm scare
The port, which survived the most severe “weather event” of the 21st century, proved to be more than prepared for a fresh hurricane coming its way a few days ago.
Patrick Burnson -- Logistics Management, 11/10/2009
NEW ORLEANS—While Hurricane Ida has been downgraded to a tropical storm, the Port of New Orleans was ready for the worst.
The port, which survived the most severe “weather event” of the 21st century, proved to be more than prepared for a fresh hurricane coming its way a few days ago.
“The mouth of the river was closed on Sunday,” said port spokesman, Chris Bonura, but we expect to reopen it later today. There was virtually no disruption of cargo traffic."
Bonura pointed out that “hurricane season” generally ends this late in the year, the port was keeping its guard up throughout November.
Even with the closing of the river mouth -- and a temporary halt in deep draft navigation -- vessels that had arrived at the port continued to be serviced. Furthermore, the U.S. Coast Guard was permitting vessels that did not require a pilot to “seek safe haven” in Venice or ports further upriver, according to the Coast Guard.
Because of the closure of flood gates along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC), the Seabrook and Almonaster Bridges were closed to rail traffic. There is normally no vehicular traffic on these bridges. The Seabrook and Almonaster bridges remained open, however, to marine traffic throughout the “weather event.”
The St. Claude Avenue Bridge also remained open to vehicular and marine traffic. It is expected remain open to marine traffic unless or until winds reach 40 mph when it will be locked in its lowered position. The curfews which prevent the bridge from being raised during peak drive times have been removed in order to aid in the movement of vessels seeking safe harbor.
“With the cooling of the Gulf waters in the coming months, this should be the end of our storm season,” said Bonura. “But the port remains vigilant in any case.”
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