St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District

Still Making History

In the late 1950’s, there was some talk about creating a port authority in St. Bernard Parish, but it would not be until the early 1960’s that the talk would turn into action.  On July 2, 1960, the St. Bernard Navigable Waterway and Terminal District, also known as “the District”, was created by Act No. 228.  The District’s territorial limits were set to coincide with the boundaries of St. Bernard Parish, with the exception of the Mississippi River, its levees and batture.  In March of 1962, five citizens of St. Bernard Parish were appointed to the Board of Commissioners for the District.  The Board was appointed in order to formulate polices and strategies for the development of the District along the Gulf Outlet.  Unfortunately, when funds were not forthcoming, the Board lost its momentum and was no longer able to function.

Opportunely, the idea of having a thriving port located in St. Bernard Parish did not die with the demise of the Navigable Waterway and Terminal District.  In R.S. 34:1701-15, new legislation created the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, also known as “the St. Bernard Port”.  The new territorial limits of the Port were to be coextensive with the Parish of St. Bernard, including “all lands, waterways, rivers, lakes and navigable bodies comprising and lying within the limits of and boundaries of St. Bernard Parish.”  The St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District was also given the “complete jurisdiction to regulate all domestic, coastwise and intercoastal commerce and traffic of the District, and all commerce and traffic which is conducted by or through a facility wholly owned by the Port.”

This new legislation enabled another five-member Board of Commissioners to be appointed in 1981.  The new Board consisted of legislators and visionaries that focused on creating the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District that exists today.  In 1984, the St. Bernard Port purchased its first permanent facility, the Chalmette Tour Boat Dock, from the National Park Service.  The Chalmette Tour Boat Dock still continues to provide revenue for the St. Bernard Port, and brings passengers and tourists to the Chalmette National Battlefield Park on a daily basis.  

The St. Bernard Port’s second major acquisition was in 1989, when it entered into negotiations to purchase the Kaiser Aluminum manufacturing plant in Chalmette.  This purchase enabled the St. Bernard Port to develop and create the Chalmette Terminal.  The onsite industrial buildings, offices, and warehouses located within the Chalmette Terminal became revenue generating assets for the port.  

The St. Bernard Port took yet another major leap forward in 1993, when it acquired the Chalmette Slip from Norfolk Southern Railroad, and thus created the Arabi Terminal. Today, the Chalmette Slip is leased and operated by a Marine Terminal Operator who is responsible for moving approximately 8.7 million tons of general cargo annually.  In 2012, the Port acquired 4,300 linear ft. of riverfront property in Violet, La., along with 36 acres of land, which became known as the Violet Terminal.

Since 2012, the St. Bernard Port has continued to acquire property over the years for future development.  The Port will continue to use its terminals, industrial park, and mooring dolphins to generate revenue and stimulate the economic growth of St. Bernard Parish.