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Port of South Louisiana reports record revenue, highlights Hyundai and renewable projects
Summary
Paul Matthews told the council that the Port of South Louisiana reached record revenue levels, is now the top U.S. foreign-trade zone by merchandise value, and is pursuing projects including support for a Hyundai manufacturing corridor and renewable energy bunkering and biofuels work.
Paul Matthews, representing the Port of South Louisiana, briefed the St. Charles Parish Council on July 7 on port activity, freight and investment trends and regional projects expected to affect the parish.
Matthews said the port has produced three straight years of record-high revenues and that its foreign-trade zone is now the nation’s leading zone by merchandise value. He said about 60%–70% of the nation’s exported grain volume originates from the Lower Mississippi River heartland and that almost half of the port’s tonnage within its jurisdiction moves through Saint Charles Parish.
Matthews highlighted a proposed $6 billion Hyundai manufacturing operation in Ascension Parish, which he said could create about 5,400 jobs across the region and catalyze a West Bank industrial corridor from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. He said the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of Baton Rouge will sign a memorandum of understanding by the end of the month to coordinate infrastructure and conveyance financing in support of such projects.
On energy and decarbonization, Matthews described ongoing work with private operators and public partners. The port has executed leases with Woodland Biofuels and an operation converting old rubber into biofuels; it is also working with GNO Inc. on a project to build an e‑methanol bunkering barge intended to provide low‑ or zero‑carbon fuel for marine operators. Matthews said that bunkering project is expected to go out to bid by the end of the month with an aim to be operational next year.
Parish President Jewell said the parish would explore partnership opportunities on West Bank sites and discussed a specific area (the Batcher area) the parish would like to see activated for non-chemical manufacturing that could diversify local industry.
Why this matters: Port expansion and major private investment projects can influence local jobs, land use and transportation infrastructure across the river corridor; the port’s trade and energy projects have direct implications for St. Charles Parish economic development planning.
Matthews invited further coordination with parish officials on land acquisition and infrastructure planning to capture supply-chain investment opportunities tied to large private projects and federal/state grant programs.
