Project Timeline
The Louisiana International Terminal is currently undergoing the federal permitting process, which is anticipated to continue through 2025*. Phase 1 of the terminal is projected to open in 2028*.
*Timeline subject to change.
The Port of New Orleans reviewed many sites, assessing for multiple factors, including land and water feasibility. The Violet site was determined as the best location.
The Port of New Orleans signed purchase agreements for portions of the Violet property. With these agreements place, the Port entered a due diligence process to see if the property was a good location for a container terminal.
In 2021, the Port of New Orleans released a preliminary concept for the terminal design.
To engage with community members, the Port opened a Community Connection Office in Violet. The Port also began regularly interacting with two community advisory councils to collect input.
The Port of New Orleans submitted its permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This was the first step in the design and review process.
The Port of New Orleans finalized the purchase of approximately 1,200 acres in Violet. This came after a year of due diligence, surveying, and ongoing community engagement. A portion of this land is intended for the future site of the proposed Louisiana International Terminal.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a public notice to collect public input. This officially started the permit and review process.
Due to a process change at the federal level, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reissued the public notice of the permit application. Additional public comments were collected.
The initial permit application submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the LIT project included the original terminal layout. The earlier version rerouted E St. Bernard Highway around the property, among other items. The Port's engineering team designed a proposed new layout that incorporated community feedback. You can see that layout here. Due to these changes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required Port NOLA to resubmit its permit application with the updated terminal layout and a new public notice was issued in December 2024.
In April 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a public hearing to collect public input. The hearing was held on May 27 and written comments were accepted until June 6.
Port NOLA has hired an outside consultant to conduct a range of studies addressing concerns raised by the public. When the studies are complete, the results will be provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review and utilize as they see fit in their permit decision.
*Timeline subject to change.
Once the required studies are completed, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may issue the necessary permits for the project as modified during the impact study process.
With the permits issued, the Port awards the construction contract.
Construction begins.
*Timeline subject to change.
The container terminal is anticipated to open in 2028 with one ship berth (wharf). At opening, we anticipate a throughput of 180,000 - 280,000 containers in the first year.
While the first portion of the terminal is in operation, the remainder of the terminal will be opened in phases over time. The terminal is expected to reach its annual throughput capacity of 1.2 million containers (2 million TEU) per year about 25 years after opening.
*Timeline subject to change.