IN the calendar year 2023, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) achieved a milestone with 20,500 container movements via barge, marking the highest number since the service commenced in 2016 in collaboration with the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and Ingram Marine Group, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

This partnership stands as the most extensive container-on-barge network in the United States, providing connectivity to the nation's heartland.

Container-on-barge transportation entails moving containers via water routes instead of trucks on roads, aiming to reduce air emissions.

The service facilitates an average of 30,000 TEU annually between New Orleans, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, Memphis and St Louis.

"We are poised to expand this service even further in the coming years," said Port NOLA president Brandy Christian.

"This is one more example of Port NOLA working alongside our partners to provide innovative solutions for global supply chain disruptions while simultaneously honoring a commitment to sustainability."

In the calendar year 2023, the service successfully curbed over 1.3 million kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and conserved more than 130,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Since its inception in 2016, the cumulative reduction in CO2 emissions exceeds 10.4 million kilogrammes.

Port NOLA highly appreciates its enduring collaboration with the Port of Greater Baton Rouge and Ingram Marine Group, enabling the provision of this essential weekly service.

This service facilitates the repositioning of empty containers to areas where they are needed.