Heniff Transportation Systems will manage rail transloading services at the newly opened New Orleans Transloading Industrial Park through a new agreement between Heniff and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB).
The $3 million facility is expected to help shippers move goods more easily between trucks and trains, making it faster to transport freight to America’s heartland, the partners reported.
“Together with the NOPB and Port NOLA [the Port of New Orleans], we’re very pleased to expand our transloading capabilities within the region,” Bob Heniff, Heniff founder and CEO, said in a news release. “The enhanced rail infrastructure and its strategic location offers our company a true competitive edge and service enhancements for our many customers.”
The property, which is owned by Port NOLA, will allow Heniff to provide multi-modal shipping options for liquid and dry bulk products to existing customers while simultaneously opening new markets. Heniff’s transload network includes 44 locations across North America where the company handles approximately 20,000 rail cars per year.
The Transloading Industrial Park complements Heniff’s existing liquid bulk service operations adjacent to the property.
“We’re excited to welcome Heniff as a new NOPB customer at our Transloading Industrial Park in New Orleans East,” said Ronald Wendel, Port NOLA acting president and CEO, and acting NOPB CEO. “Together we will ensure products are moved more efficiently through the global supply chain while also driving economic growth in and beyond this region.”
Funding sources included a $1.5 million grant from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Shortline Railroad Priority Program, as well as a $1.5 million funding match from NOPB, according to the release.
“This project completion highlights the impact of the state’s investment in the Shortline Rail Improvement Program as it is one of the original awards from the launch of the program in 2022,” said Julia Fisher-Cormier, commissioner for LADOTD’s Office of Multimodal Commerce. “The NOPB’s inland connections cannot be overstated, our state’s connectivity ensures that goods arrive at homes across the nation, businesses efficiently move their products, and that Louisiana maintains its relevance and position as an economic driver for the state and region.
“We look forward to providing additional funding to further solidify Port NOLA and NOPB’s vital role in the global supply chain.”