By
Rebecca Gibson |
The Port of New Orleans expects to break the one million passenger mark for the first time by the end of 2014.
New Orleans, which was highlighted as the sixth largest US cruise port by the Cruise Lines International Association in 2013, has surpassed its passenger records for the past three years.
River cruising is also set to increase at the port over the next few years, with more players entering the market, including American Cruise Lines’ American Queen and the Queen of the Mississippi.
“We’re working with our cruise partners on long-term berthing contracts and industry confidence in the New Orleans market helped the largest cruise ship ever to homeport in New Orleans and the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet – Carnival Dream – arrive in April,” said Gary LaGrange, port president and CEO, at the annual State of the Port Address on 5 November.
Port officials recently completed a multi-million-dollar upgrade to the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and are poised to break ground on New Orleans’ third cruise terminal at Poland Avenue in the first quarter of 2015.
“We hope to surpass that ranking in the years to come as blue-water and river cruising continue to grow and become more popular with the travelling public,” LaGrange said. “We must continue to identify the resources to build the infrastructure needed to promote efficient growth and take every opportunity to insert the maritime industry into public discussion. Improved infrastructure on the dock, on our highways and throughout our waterways are important to us all.”