St. Bernard Port Tenant Associated Terminals expands

Associated Terminals, St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District’s Marine Terminal Operator (MTO), recently expanded its operations and has hired several dozen new employees.

Zeljko Franks, Senior Vice President of Operations at Associated Terminals, said when the company first commenced operations at the Port in 2002 they employed about 40 people. Today, Associated Terminals boasts more than 200 employees, many of whom are St. Bernard Parish residents.

According to Franks, Associated Terminals’ new growth can be attributed to the company’s recent business expansions, including acquiring new cargo tonnage and expanded operations.

“The recent acquisitions have helped us increase our capacity to go out and obtain new business,” he said, “which, in turn creates the need for additional laborers and personnel.”

Associated Terminals operates the Arabi Terminal, the Violet Terminal and the Midstream berths of St. Bernard Port at Chalmette and Meraux.

Drew Heaphy, the Port’s Executive Director, said, “Because of the efficiencies of the various terminals and the ability to shift cargo to different terminals as needed, the Port has been able to handle upwards of 10 million tons of cargo per year.  The cargo that comes through the Port typically moves as far west as Houston, and as far north as places like St. Louis, Chicago, and Pittsburgh.”

Associated Terminals offers a wide range of berthing options and cargo handling solutions for bulk, break-bulk and project cargo, including truck and rail loading and unloading, warehousing and storage, bagging capabilities and screening/processing services, Franks said.

“We’ve expanded some of our operations which have allowed us to attract additional cargo tonnage,” said Franks, who has been with Associated Terminals for 15 years, serving in his current role for the past four.

In the last year alone, Franks said, Associated Terminals has hired 45 new employees.  Some of the positions filled by those employees include equipment operators, foremen, clerks and office personnel.

“When we are looking to hire, our intent is always to hire residents from St. Bernard Parish first.  Our goal is to continue to strive to be a good corporate citizen,” Franks said.

Heaphy concurred with Franks.

“The Port is committed to being a major economic engine in St. Bernard Parish and to driving job creation,” Heaphy said.

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