Avondale Global Gateway (AGG) and Suzano announced a five-year terminal services agreement that will allow regular imports of wood pulp to return to Louisiana, USA, for the first time in more than 30 years.
Under the agreement, AGG will operate as one of Suzano’s terminals on the central Gulf Coast of Mexico for its wood pulp shipments from Brazil, which will be distributed by rail in North America. The first vessel is scheduled to arrive at AGG in May of this year.
The agreement represents a significant milestone for both Louisiana and Suzano, the world’s largest pulp supplier and one of Brazil’s leading exporters, with more than 40 years of presence in the US market.
Suzano’s decision also aligns with its continued expansion in the region, including the 2024 acquisition of plants in Arkansas and North Carolina from Pactiv Evergreen.
As part of its growth strategy in North America, Suzano selected Avondale following a two-year evaluation process focused on logistics efficiency, infrastructure, and long-term scalability. The operation will support this strategy by creating a more centralized and efficient logistics network on the Gulf Coast.
“An efficient and resilient supply chain is essential for our business, and Avondale offers the combination of river access, rail connectivity, port infrastructure, and operational flexibility we were looking for,” said Juliana Vizintim, Executive Director of Operations at Suzano.
“This partnership strengthens our logistics platform on the Gulf Coast and improves supply assurance and efficiency for our customers across North America. At Suzano, we believe that it only benefits us if it benefits the world, and we consider this milestone as the foundation for long-term value creation, benefiting the local community, our business partners, and our customers. Suzano and Avondale share a common vision focused on collaboration, growth, and jointly building a sustainable future,” added Vizintim.
To support the new operation, AGG has made significant improvements to warehouse space, including new concrete floors, five additional loading doors, loading docks, canopies, and a laser detection and fire suppression system. These improvements were made specifically to meet Suzano’s operational needs.
In parallel, a rail line expansion is underway at Avondale, with an investment of USD 13 million, partially funded by the FastSites program of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. Along with other facility improvements, the total investment linked to the Suzano operation is expected to exceed USD 20 million over time. The project is also expected to generate 50 full-time jobs.
“The return of wood pulp to Louisiana represents a major milestone. This means new activity for the state, new jobs, and a significant investment in Avondale. It reflects the kind of long-term industrial growth we believed this site could support and demonstrates what is possible when the right partner, infrastructure, and location come together,” said Adam Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of T.
Parker Host, empresa matriz de Avondale Global Gateway.
El servicio ferroviario desempeñará un papel fundamental en la operación, permitiendo que la carga se traslade de manera eficiente desde el buque al almacén y a los destinos terrestres en todo Estados Unidos. AGG colaboró estrechamente con Union Pacific para alinear la infraestructura y la capacidad de servicio antes del lanzamiento.
Desde que T. Parker Host adquirió el antiguo astillero de Avondale en 2018, el terreno se ha ido transformando progresivamente en un centro logístico multimodal. En la actualidad, Avondale da empleo a más de 600 trabajadores en las operaciones del sitio, entre los inquilinos y en la construcción en curso.
