The ports of Baton Rouge and New Orleans have been awarded a USD 1.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to enhance for container-on-barge services.

The funds would be used to acquire specialized container loading equipment to increase efficiencies to the current container-on-barge shuttle service operated by SEACOR AMH between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

“The container-on-barge service and the application for the MARAD grant have been joint projects for Baton Rouge and New Orleans, with both ports working together for more than a year,” Jay Hardman, executive director of the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, said.

The shuttle service repositions empty containers from Memphis to Baton Rouge for the increasing volume of resin exports from the Baton Rouge area. It also provides exporters with new, more efficient transportation options and offers a waterway alternative to re-position empty equipment that would otherwise move via truck or rail.

“It is essential that we invest in integrated, multi-modal transportation systems that support the efficient movement of freight and people throughout this country. Our nation’s extensive network of waterways and domestic seaports provide an opportunity to help stimulate economic growth while reducing congestion on our national freight transportation system,” U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administrator Paul Jaenichen, said.