Port of New Orleans establishes MOU with CORBA

The multipurpose Gulf Coast port signed a two-year agreement with the Central Ohio River Business Association to strengthen commerce between the two regions.    The Port of New Orleans’ Board of Commissioners and the Central Ohio River Business Association (CORBA), which promotes commerce, transportation and the maritime community along the Ohio River, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen commerce between the two regions.
   The MOU lays the groundwork for joint marketing activities, data interchange, regional market studies and cross training opportunities in order to create new business and streamline customer service between the port and CORBA, the Port of New Orleans said.
   The two year-agreement, which includes annual renewal options, was the culmination of several months of discussion and planning.
   “The Lower Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans in particular is a vital gateway to the global marketplace for the Ports of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky,” CORBA Executive Director Eric Thomas said in a statement. “This agreement formally recognizes that longstanding connection between the two regions, and reflects a doubling-down of efforts by both ports to seek out opportunities that can leverage the significant port capabilities that join us together.”
   CORBA was founded in 2011 and consists over 50 members, including barge and towing companies, equipment and supply companies, cargo terminals, shippers, marine services, commercial passenger operators, public port authorities, public agencies and technical colleges.