Plaquemines Port director reports progress on Navy study, APMT MOU and $100M Venture Global substation
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Summary
Executive Director Charles D. Tillotson told commissioners the Navy business-case analysis is complete and a Jan. 13 meeting with Navy and state officials is scheduled; an APM Terminals memorandum is near finalization and early talks with Venture Global/Entergy envision a roughly $100 million substation and servitude for the port.
Charles D. Tillotson, executive director of the Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District, gave commissioners a status report on major projects and operations at the port during the Jan. 8 meeting.
Tillotson said he and Jacob Lee, the port’s chief legal officer, attended a Louisiana Supreme Court expropriation hearing this week and that the court’s ruling is expected within two to three months. He reported that Lee’s in‑house bar application was approved on Dec. 23, 2025, and that the port’s Navy business‑case analysis is complete. “I actually sent that document to all of you,” Tillotson said, and he noted a meeting with Navy officials, the DOTD secretary, the multimodal commissioner and other state representatives is scheduled for Jan. 13.
The executive director said the memorandum of understanding with APM Terminals is close to finalization: “we are very close to finalizing that document and being able to move forward.” He also described early discussions with Venture Global about placing an Entergy substation on Venture Global’s Phase 1 and 2 projects; Tillotson said the work was “about a $100,000,000 project” and that Entergy may invest roughly half.
On operations, Tillotson reported both the Pointe LeHi and Belle Chasse ferries are in service, that Belle Chasse 2 is progressing in the shipyard and that Port Authority 1 remains at Aloma Marine for repairs. He said the new ferry design is roughly 90% complete and that delivery may be late 2028. Port staff also described planned electrical upgrades at Pointe LeHi to support safety fog lights and cameras, continuing work on landing dolphins at Belle Chasse and Scarsdale, and repairs following wind damage to a gate at Belle Chasse.
On infrastructure, Tillotson said the 11‑mile rail extension is in final draft stages for a petition for exemption to the Surface Transportation Board and that a site visit with engineers is expected this month. He also reported the water booster station project is in its final stretch with an expected completion in 2026.
On finances and staffing, the finance director said actual revenues are up about $4 million — including $1.5 million in water booster station reimbursements — while actual expenses rose about $7.9 million because land purchases (recorded at roughly $7 million) were posted. Human resources reported the COO position approved in December is being advertised nation‑wide, Archer studies were initiated for IT director and chief port engineer roles, and ISO‑9001 training and policy reviews are starting later this month.
Tillotson said the port is seeking an outside financial management firm to review policies and procedures and is preparing to release an RFP while trying to expedite the procurement timeline. “We will be looking at a consulting company... we’re trying to find the best fit for what we’re attempting to do,” he told commissioners.
The port will provide commissioners follow‑up documents: Tillotson said he had circulated the Navy analysis and would ensure any final APMT MOU and Lee’s bar approval paperwork are distributed. Commissioners asked to be kept apprised of scheduling for the port administrative building so that the Emergency Operations Center construction is not disrupted. The commission did not take separate formal action on these reports; several related agenda items were later considered under separate motions.
