Beth Ann Branch of Port of Mobile was chosen as the next CEO of the Port of New Orleans and Public Belt Railroad, putting a former Gulf Coast rival at the helm in New Orleans.

WASHINGTON — The planned $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal project in St. Bernard Parish was awarded a $226 million grant Jan. 22 from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, the Port of New Orleans and two global maritime companies on Dec. 13 announced the formation of a public-private partnership to build a new $1.8 billion container facility on the lower Mississippi River.

Louisiana is working out details in a new experiment enabling trucks to carry two 20-foot containers in tandem to and from its ports to alleviate supply chain issues exacerbated by congestion and driver shortages.

Savage Inland Marine has acquired the assets of Progressive Barge Line, according to a Dec. 28 press release.

As it charts a course for at least the next decade, the Port of New Orleans is weighing nearly $2 billion worth of potential projects to support its growing cargo, rail, cruise ship and industrial real estate businesses.

The Port of New Orleans said it’s begun a Clean Truck Replacement Program that will allow 20 drayage truckers to replace their older Class 8 trucks with newer models.