The US Department of Commerce has approved the port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) application to extend the Federal Trade Zone (FTZ No. 2) service area.
FTZ No. 2 already covers Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes. The expansion will now include St. Tammany Parish. Expanding FTZ No. 2 into St. Tammany should help move more cargo through the port while also enhancing Louisiana’s role in global commerce.
Earlier this year, the port’s board of commissioners approved a resolution authorising a cooperative endeavour agreement (CEA) with five gateways with a goal of creating the largest port complex in the world. The five ports on the Lower Mississippi River include the port of New Orleans, port of South Louisiana, port of Greater Baton Rouge, St. Bernard port, and the Louisiana Gateway port at Plaquemines Parish.
It followed the formation of the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission last year, which aims to promote all of Louisiana’s ports and waterway investments.
