US bulk liquid logistics company Freedom Intermodal Tank Services has opened a fully automated packaging plant in New Orleans East.
The facility, located adjacent to the company’s existing operations on France Road Parkway, integrates packaging, warehousing, transloading, storage, heating, blending, cleaning, trucking, and rail service into a single logistics platform.
The automated bulk liquid packaging system is designed to fill plastics drums and totes, enabling customers to package, store and distribute products from one location.
Freedom Intermodal specialises in the transportation and handling of bulk liquids and ISO tanks, including rail-to-truck and truck-to-rail transloading, storage, heating, blending, cleaning, and transportation services.
Class A warehouse space
The new plant consists of Class A warehouse space with 38 outbound dock doors, covered truck and rail unloading, heating and blending capabilities, a 450-railcar storage-in-transit yard, a dedicated trucking fleet, and four acres of laydown yard and trailer parking.
The announcement was made by The Port of New Orleans (Port Nola) and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB).
Situated seven miles from the Port Nola and one mile from Interstate 10, the new site is anticipated to improve supply chain options for customers by reducing freight costs, shorten turnaround times, increase throughput, and provide greater visibility and control over the movement of bulk liquid products.
Port Nola is claimed to be the only deep-water port in the US connected to all six Class I railroads through the NOPB.
‘Unmatched connectivity and control’
“Being a full-service facility and having the integrated ability to handle the inbound transportation, packaging, warehousing, and outbound transportation for bulk shippers allows them to benefit from a one-stop-shop provider with unmatched connectivity and control,” said Jeff Louis, chief executive of Freedom Intermodal Tank Services.
“Having access to every Class I railroad right here in New Orleans and being in close proximity to Port Nola gives us a major advantage that no other bulk liquid packaging facility in the area can offer.”
Tomeka Bryant, chief strategy officer and general manager of the NOPB, said: “Freedom Intermodal’s investment highlights the value of the integrated logistics ecosystem we have built in New Orleans.”
“NOPB’s six-Class I railroad connectivity, combined with Port Nola’s global maritime reach and Louisiana’s strong industrial manufacturing sector, gives customers access to supply chain solutions that are difficult to replicate anywhere else in the country.
“This expansion strengthens our ability to attract new business, support industrial growth, and create economic opportunity throughout Louisiana.”
