Q&A: Harrison Crabtree on Louisiana’s Ports, Trade And Maritime Growth 

Harrison Crabtree, executive director of World Trade Center New Orleans, joined David Murray, senior editor of The Waterways Journal, for a WJ Talk conversation about Louisiana’s role in international trade, port development, energy, shipbuilding and maritime workforce development.

The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity. 

Waterways Journal: What is the relationship between World Trade Center New Orleans and Greater New Orleans Inc.? 

Harrison Crabtree: World Trade Center New Orleans was founded 80 years ago following World War II, with the idea that free and fair trade would contribute to a safer and more prosperous world. We were the first World Trade Center in what has become a network of more than 300 World Trade Centers in more than 90 countries.

Unlike some World Trade Centers, we do not own a hotel or conference center. We are an economic development organization.

About four or five years ago, we entered into an operational partnership with Greater New Orleans Inc. We are a small team, so the partnership gives us access to GNO Inc.’s expertise in marketing, administration, finance, policy and business development. For GNO Inc., it provides a dedicated international trade arm.

We have more than 90 members representing ports, towing companies, river pilots, manufacturers, rail, trucking, law, banking and finance. It is a diverse cross-section of Louisiana’s trade economy. 

WJ: What role do international delegations play in your work? 

HC: Hosting delegations is a major point of pride for us. Last year, we welcomed more than 100 delegations from 25 countries. Many visitors know Louisiana for our food, music and culture, but they may not understand our business ecosystem. Bringing heads of state, ambassadors, trade agencies and business delegations here allows them to see Louisiana’s capabilities firsthand.

WJ: What Louisiana industries are often overlooked? 

 HC: Defense and aerospace are two strong sectors that people may not immediately associate with Louisiana.

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East has played a major role in the American space program. It produced external fuel tanks for the Space Shuttle program and now supports Artemis.

Louisiana also has a deep history in shipbuilding and vessel construction. Current projects include government icebreakers and the next generation of autonomous vessels. 

WJ: How important are waterways to aerospace and industrial development? 

HC: They are essential. Michoud is located on the water and has dock access that allows large components to move through the Mississippi River system.

The same principle applies to shipbuilding, manufacturing, agriculture and energy. The trade and logistics sector is not simply about moving cargo on and off ships. Many parts of Louisiana’s economy depend on open and reliable waterways. 

WJ: What is driving the increase in project cargo? 

HC: Louisiana has seen approximately $130 billion in energy investment over roughly the past five to 10 years. That includes LNG, oil and gas, hydrogen, batteries, sustainable aviation fuel and biofuels. These projects require large equipment and components that may be too large for highways, so much of that cargo arrives by barge or oceangoing vessel. 

WJ: Is Louisiana pursuing an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy? 

HC: Absolutely. If it fuels or powers something, you are likely to see it in Louisiana. We have facilities converting sugarcane waste into biofuels, along with facilities producing hydrogen and LNG for international markets. These are not only Louisiana projects. They help supply the United States and the world. We often say that Louisiana is feeding and fueling the world. 

WJ: Are Louisiana’s Lower Mississippi River ports becoming more consolidated? 

HC: Yes, although I would call it coordination rather than consolidation. Historically, the ports often followed their own paths. The five port directors are now working more closely together, recognizing their individual strengths and where they can cooperate for the benefit of Louisiana.

Together, the five ports represent the largest port system in the Western Hemisphere. Coordination in areas such as marketing and messaging can make that collective system more competitive. 

WJ: What makes Louisiana competitive with other Gulf Coast port regions? 

HC: Louisiana can handle nearly every major cargo category, including containers, bulk, breakbulk, liquid bulk and agriculture. That range of capabilities, spread across five ports, is a major strength. When the ports work together, it creates a powerful economic development and marketing tool. 

WJ: Which port investment could have the greatest long-term effect? 

HC: The Louisiana International Terminal is probably the most significant generational investment.

The existing Port of New Orleans container terminal is upriver from the Crescent City Connection, which restricts the height of ships that can reach it. The new downriver terminal would have no bridge-height restriction and could accommodate some of the world’s largest vessels.

There are very few undeveloped waterfront sites left in the United States that can support a project of that scale. The terminal could restore Louisiana’s position as a major container hub and change the game for the state. 

WJ: How important are agricultural exports to the port system? 

HC: They are enormously important. Approximately 60 percent of U.S. agricultural exports pass through the Port of South Louisiana and the Port of New Orleans.

The Mississippi River system connects Louisiana with more than 30 states and two Canadian provinces. What happens in South Louisiana affects farmers, businesses and consumers across much of North America. 

WJ: Do you expect LNG investment to continue? 

HC: Yes. Louisiana LNG serves markets in Europe and other parts of the world, and companies continue to commit capital to additional phases of major projects.

When multinational companies invest billions of dollars, that signals a long-term outlook rather than a short-term trend. LNG appears likely to remain an important part of Louisiana’s economy. 

WJ: How is the industry addressing workforce needs? 

HC: About one in five Louisiana jobs is connected to trade, and those jobs pay approximately 15 to 16 percent more than jobs in non-trade-dependent industries.

We work with industry partners, colleges and nonprofit workforce organizations to make sure training matches employer needs. The industry’s workforce is aging, and we must develop the next generation if we want the sector to grow. 

WJ: Which schools are helping build the maritime workforce? 

HC: Nunez Community College, Delgado Community College, Northshore Technical Community College and River Parishes Community College all provide relevant workforce training. 

The University of New Orleans has naval architecture and marine engineering education, and Nicholls State University is developing a maritime academy.

Too many Louisiana mariners currently have to travel to Texas or Michigan for training. Building more training capacity in Louisiana will help retain students and workers in the state. 

WJ: What emerging opportunity deserves more attention? 

HC: Innovation. Louisiana companies are not only purchasing new technology; some are developing technology involving artificial intelligence, robotics and logistics scheduling.

Louisiana Economic Development has created an innovation arm focused partly on helping established industries modernize. I believe that will become increasingly important over the next several years. 

WJ: How does Louisiana work with international ports? 

HC: We have hosted representatives from major European ports, including Rotterdam, and we communicate regularly with Antwerp-Bruges.

We also travel to other ports. We have participated in missions to Antwerp and Rotterdam, visited Montreal and planned a trip to Marseille.

It is a two-way exchange. We want to show the world what Louisiana is doing, but we also want to learn from ports that are solving congestion, energy and logistics challenges in innovative ways. 

WJ: What is your overall outlook for Louisiana’s maritime economy? 

HC: The biggest takeaway is the momentum. It is not limited to the Louisiana International Terminal, energy, aerospace or defense. The entire ecosystem is beginning to work together.

As more energy projects enter construction or begin operating, Louisiana’s logistics sector will continue to see significant activity and opportunity.