Louisiana Port Revives Pulp Trade in Landmark Suzano Partnership

AVONDALE, La. – April 30, 2026 – A significant chapter in Louisiana's industrial history is being rewritten as the Avondale Global Gateway (AGG) finalizes a landmark five-year agreement with Suzano, the world's largest wood pulp supplier. The deal establishes the Jefferson Parish facility as a pivotal Gulf Coast hub for the Brazilian giant and marks the return of regular wood pulp imports to the state for the first time in over three decades.

The first vessel, laden with pulp from Brazil, is scheduled to arrive at the redeveloped Mississippi River terminal in the first week of May, heralding a new stream of commerce and economic activity for the region. The imported pulp will be distributed across North America via a robust rail network, cementing Avondale's role as a critical multimodal logistics center.

A New Economic Engine on the Mississippi

The partnership represents more than just a new shipping route; it is a significant catalyst for economic growth. The operation is tied to an investment expected to exceed $20 million, which includes substantial infrastructure upgrades and the creation of approximately 50 new full-time jobs at the Avondale site.

This immediate impact is a cornerstone of a much larger vision for the former Avondale Shipyard. The master plan for the site, operated by T. Parker Host, projects a staggering $32 billion in total economic output and the creation of over 4,500 jobs statewide by 2027. The Suzano agreement is a tangible validation of this ambitious redevelopment, demonstrating the site's capacity to attract global industry leaders.

Key to securing the deal was a series of targeted investments, including a $13 million rail expansion, partly funded through Louisiana Economic Development's FastSites program. This strategic investment, supported by local agencies like the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO), was crucial for creating the seamless vessel-to-rail transfer capacity required by Suzano.

From Shipyard Ruins to a Global Gateway

The Avondale site's transformation is a remarkable story of industrial rebirth. When T. Parker Host acquired the defunct Avondale Shipyard in 2018, it was a shadow of its former self. Today, after more than $100 million in private investment, the 275-acre property is a bustling multimodal hub supporting over 600 workers across tenants and active construction projects.

To meet Suzano's specific operational needs, AGG undertook a major overhaul of 245,000 square feet of warehouse space. The extensive upgrades included installing new concrete flooring, five additional loading doors, expansive loading platforms, and a state-of-the-art laser fire detection and suppression system. This level of customization highlights the flexibility and commitment that made Avondale an attractive partner.

The Suzano deal joins a growing roster of tenants that are leveraging Avondale's unique combination of deepwater access, warehousing, and Class I rail connectivity. Other key occupants include Sesco Cement, which is planning a $40 million investment, and Gulf Wind Technology, which operates an advanced rotor technology innovation center on-site, solidifying AGG's role as a diverse industrial and logistics park.

Suzano’s Strategic North American Play

For Suzano, the agreement with Avondale is a calculated move in a broader strategy to optimize and expand its North American footprint. The company, which has operated in the U.S. market for over 40 years, undertook a meticulous two-year evaluation process before selecting Avondale. The decision hinged on the site's logistical efficiency, modern infrastructure, and potential for long-term scalability.

This partnership centralizes Suzano's Gulf Coast logistics, creating a more resilient and efficient supply chain to serve its customers. It complements the company's recent growth, which includes the 2024 acquisition of mills in Arkansas and North Carolina. By establishing a reliable import hub at Avondale, Suzano can more effectively supply these facilities and other customers across the continent.

"An efficient and resilient supply chain is essential to our business, and Avondale offers the combination of river access, rail connectivity, port infrastructure, and operational flexibility we were looking for," said Juliana Vizintim, Operations Executive Manager at Suzano. "This partnership strengthens our Gulf Coast logistics platform and enhances supply assurance and efficiency for our customers across North America. At Suzano, we believe it is only good for us if it is good for the world, and we view this milestone as a foundation for long-term value creation—benefiting the local community, our business partners, and our customers."

Reviving a Lost Trade with Modern Logistics

The return of wood pulp imports after a 30-year absence underscores the profound shifts in global trade and the critical importance of modern infrastructure. The efficient movement of this bulk cargo is made possible by the seamless integration of Avondale's assets. Rail service, in particular, plays a central role, with AGG working closely with Union Pacific to ensure both infrastructure and service capacity were aligned ahead of the first shipment.

This collaboration between the port operator, the client, and the railroad exemplifies the kind of public-private synergy that drives 21st-century logistics. It is this multimodal capability that has allowed Louisiana to recapture a trade commodity that had long since moved to other ports.

Adam Anderson, Chairman and CEO of T. Parker Host, parent company of Avondale Global Gateway, captured the significance of the achievement. "Bringing wood pulp back to Louisiana is a major milestone," he said. "This is new activity for the state, new jobs, and meaningful investment at Avondale. It reflects the kind of long-term industrial growth we believed this site could support and shows what's possible when the right partner, infrastructure, and location come together."