By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Port of New Orleans is to construct a third cruise terminal at Poland Avenue Wharf after signing a transfer agreement with US Administration officials.The agreement gives the port the maritime rights for Berths 4 and 5 of the Poland Avenue Wharf, as well as 200,000sqft of adjacent land to construct a new single-berth terminal.
Speaking to ICFR, the port’s president and CEO Gary LaGrange said that the transfer agreement is a crucial element in the port’s strategy to cater for the growing New Orleans cruise market. “The cruise industry has responded to the rising demand for cruises from New Orleans by launching its newest and largest vessels from the ‘Big Easy’,” he said. “Our plan for a third cruise terminal underscores our commitment to the cruise industry and to staying ahead of the curve.”
Local design firm Manning Architects and Miami-based Bermello Ajamil & Partners are currently in the final design and engineering stages of the project, which is scheduled for completion at the end of 2015. It will offer onsite parking, complete onsite customs operations, articulated climate-controlled passenger gangways, baggage-screening facilities and loading facilities.
“All of our cruise terminals offer the most modern passenger and cruise operator amenities and Poland Avenue will be no different,” said LaGrange. “It will be a state-of-the-art, efficient cruise terminal able to handle the latest ships. Located near to our Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Julia Street Cruise Terminal, Poland Avenue is also ideally placed for cruise guests to visit the various attractions in the city’s French Quarter.”
This article appeared in the Spring/Summer 2014 edition of International Cruise & Ferry Review. To read other articles, you can subscribe to the magazine in printed or digital formats.