Port NOLA Marks Maritime Month, Tricentennial

National Maritime Day is May 22, and the Port of New Orleans is making it a month-long celebration with its second annual Maritime Month. This year’s theme is “Your Working River 300,” with a focus on New Orleans’ tricentennial and the impact the Mississippi River has always had on the city.

“We have coordinated with city and state elected officials, media partners and various stakeholders to celebrate the hardworking men and women of the port, Public Belt and maritime industry who play an important role in the success of our city, state and region,” Port of New Orleans President and CEO Brandy Christian said. “Maritime Month is an opportunity for Port NOLA to connect with our community and invite them to see for themselves what we experience daily—the magic of the working river in action.”

Maritime Month at the Port of New Orleans began May 3 when the New Orleans City Council presented a proclamation to Christian in recognition of the port’s Maritime Month and National Maritime Day.

That same day, the Port of New Orleans welcomed students from New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School for the port’s Career Exploration Day, which connected students with professionals in the maritime industry. The students also boarded the port’s fireboat Gen. Roy S. Kelley for a tour of the Mississippi River and the port’s cargo and cruise terminals.

“We are proud to host this annual event, and we look forward to connecting with students in our community who will one day be driving our region’s success,” Christian said.

The port is also engaged in a month-long media outreach through a partnership with local CBS affiliate WWL-TV to broadcast ads with the “Your Working River 300” theme. The port will recognize its Harbor Police Department May 13-19 during National Police Week, and during Infrastructure Week May 14-21, the port will host the Southeastern Infrastructure Summit May 17. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell will headline the summit, which will examine the role infrastructure plays in the New Orleans regional economy.

Port NOLA and WWL-TV will team up May 22 on the actual National Maritime Day as the port host’s WWL-TV’s morning show with a live broadcast aboard the Gen. Roy S. Kelley from 7 to 9 a.m.

Just two days later, on May 24, the port will release its finalized Gateway Master Plan, and the port-owned New Orleans Public Belt Railroad will be open to the public from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The port will close out Maritime Month with a public boat tour May 25.

For more information, visit the Port of New Orleans’ website at www.portno.com.