Port of New Orleans

The long-delayed boom in plastic resin exports is forecast to finally arrive this year, sector officials say, and a second wave is likely by 2022. That is expected to create opportunities for ports on all three US seacoasts, but it will also stress port, truck, and intermodal rail operations.

With the long-awaited boom in US production of synthetic resins expected to finally materialize this year, shippers are urging carriers to add more services from the Gulf to Asia. But will ocean carriers respond?

A downriver site on the Mississippi River would provide expansion capacity and no bridge restrictions.

US Gulf ports’ share of the nation’s container trade has been inching up for several years.

CMA CGM has scheduled additional sailings on its routes between Asia and the US Gulf and South Atlantic coasts.

Surcharge comes as ports, carriers prepare for surge in synthetic resin exports.

New Panama Canal services from Asia are helping to fuel steady growth in Gulf ports’ single-digit share of US containerized imports.

After initial apprehensiveness, motor carriers and shippers appear to have adjusted to the systems.

Port gains new outlet for fast-growing exports of plastic resins.

Bulk carriers and tankers would be primary beneficiaries.

City officials have dropped the idea of selling the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, but are continuing to explore the possibility of a public-private partnership for the short line that handles switching for the port’s six Class I railroads.

Things could be better, but they also could be a lot worse for breakbulk and project cargo shipping in US Gulf ports.