Pilot station departs Port Bienville after year’s stay

July 31, 2014

Port Bienville, a large industrial complex known regionally for its cluster of polymers and resins manufacturers, is increasingly becoming a destination for storage of high­value maritime assets. This month, the Crescent City Bar Pilots Association moved their new state­of theart pilot station from Port Bienville to its new location in Pilottown, La., after a year berthing at Port Bienville Industrial Park. Port Bienville became home to the pilot station in 2013 while its permanent site in Pilottown was being prepared. The station, which is laid out similarly to a large hotel built on an elevated barge, will house river pilots during their rotations working along the Mississippi River. "We were sorry to see the pilot station go after its long stay at Port Bienville, but we think it is a great example of the opportunities we have available to take advantage of our unique assets at Port Bienville," said Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission Executive Director Ashley Edwards. "With more than 3,600 acres of industrial space, 15 miles of shortline railroad track and five miles of canals inside Port Bienville, we have ample space for a wide array of projects, including short­term leases and storage for rail and barge assets."