Take Me to the River

Reese Energy Consulting today is following the latest news from La.-based Plaquemines Port Harbor, which has signed an exclusive letter of intent with American Patriot Holdings (APH) to develop a new state-of-the-art container terminal. Once completed, the Gateway Port on the Gulf will offer a needed connection for inland container imports and exports but maybe the marine vessels to service the terminal are the real cool dog here. APH has designed container ships powered by LNG that the company says will revolutionize an industry in need of more infrastructure and emissions reduction. Freight volumes along the nation’s inland waterways are expected to increase 40% in the next 30 years. APH’s larger Liner ships will be capable of servicing the Mississippi River as far north as St. Louis. The smaller Hybrid vessels will transport cargoes from inland ports along tributary rivers. Using LNG propulsion, a no-wake bow, and an exoskeleton structure that reduces the ship’s weight, the APH container vessels are designed to operate faster, cleaner, and with larger payloads.