The former Avondale Shipyards site in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, has been purchased by Avondale Marine LLC, a new joint venture with plans to redevelop the New Orleans-area property as a global logistics hub.

Avondale Marine, a joint venture of Virginia-based T. Parker Host and Illinois-based Hilco Redevelopment Partners, acquired the 254-acre property from Huntington Ingalls Industries.

According to Governor John Bel Edwards’ office, Avondale Marine will redevelop the site’s crane, dock and terminal assets along nearly 8,000 feet of Mississippi River frontage, while connecting global waterborne commerce with manufacturing, fabrication and distribution facilities onshore. Capturing connections to six Class I rail carriers in the New Orleans area, the new owners envision creating a world-scale logistics hub at the former shipyard.

“For more than 75 years, tens of thousands of workers from Jefferson Parish, New Orleans and surrounding parishes built vessels at Avondale that preserved our freedom in times of war and invigorated our economy in times of peace,” Governor Edwards said. “We know that golden age of shipbuilding will not return to Avondale. But after many months of discussion, we have secured a visionary private-sector partner to create a new path for growth at Avondale. This purchase represents a great opportunity to bring new investment, jobs and prosperity back to Avondale, with a sharp focus on attracting logistics and manufacturing leaders in the global economy.”

“For generations, Avondale Shipyards has been a source of pride that generated jobs and economic development for the community,” said Anderson, the T. Parker Host President & CEO. “Our goal is to place Avondale into the supply chain as a multimodal, global logistics hub that not only moves goods but actually adds value on-site. We are grateful for the steadfast support and leadership of the governor, parish president and council, as well as our partners in the project, including the Port of New Orleans, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, JEDCO, GNO Inc., the Jefferson Business Council and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce.”

“We’re thrilled to leverage our extensive experience in redeveloping and transforming facilities that are at the end of their current useful life into modern, productive businesses for the future,” said Perez, the Hilco Redevelopment Partners CEO. “We look forward to supporting our managing partners at T. Parker Host in the Avondale Marine project as we build this important logistics hub in greater New Orleans.”

“This is one of the largest economic development announcements in Jefferson Parish history,” said Jefferson Parish President Mike Yenni. “Our community has experienced tremendous growth on both the east and west banks of Jefferson Parish in recent years. The introduction of jobs and investment into this area will have a far-reaching impact on the west bank and across the region, further invigorating our growing economy.”

“For over eight years, we have worked with political leaders, economic development partners and private developers to reimagine a new Avondale that would be as impactful and catalytic for our state and region as the shipyard had been for decades,” said Greater New Orleans Inc. President & CEO Michael Hecht. “This new venture will create thousands of good jobs and will bring value-added manufacturing to the river.”