What Associated Terminals does

Associated Terminals is a privately held marine terminal operator and stevedore founded in 1990, headquartered in Convent, Louisiana. The company is the leading cargo handler on the Lower Mississippi River, operating 14 midstream river anchorage facilities, 14 Gottwald cranes plus two newly commissioned Liebherr CBG 500 E hybrid cranes (delivering up to 2,460 tons per hour), and multiple strategic port locations including the 335-acre Globalplex Intermodal Terminal (operated under Port of South Louisiana ownership), St. Bernard Port, Myrtle Grove Midstream Terminal, New Orleans Bulk Terminal, Port Allen, and Sabine Pass, Texas.

The company's service platform spans seven core offerings: midstream barge operations, agricultural commodity exports (grains, sugar, feed), general/breakbulk/project cargo handling, terminal port operations, integrated logistical solutions, mooring services, and facility services. It serves enterprise B2B customers across agriculture, construction, steel, mining/coal/ore, and fertilizer industries, with go-to-market executed through a dedicated sales leadership team of four Vice Presidents of Sales across Bulk and General Cargo divisions. Pricing is contract-negotiated and not publicly disclosed.

Revenue is generated through professional service fees for stevedoring and cargo handling, with diversification across dry bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo segments. The business is capital-intensive and asset-heavy, with revenue tied to throughput volume on the Lower Mississippi River export corridor and, more recently, expanded into the Mid-Atlantic and Texas Gulf via the 2024 acquisition of S.H. Bell Company. The company is founder/management-owned with no disclosed external institutional investors, and operates alongside its wholly owned Turn Services subsidiary (acquired 2004) which provides towing and fleeting services.

Name

Associated Terminals

Legal name

Associated Terminals

Website

https://associatedterminals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Associated Terminals is a privately held stevedore and marine terminal operator on the Lower Mississippi River, providing cargo handling, midstream operations, and stevedoring services for dry bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo shippers across agriculture, mining, and industrial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Terminal Operations and Stevedoring

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (48832), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Machinery & Industrial Equipment Terminals (TLAHADAF)

Keywords

• Marine terminal operations
• Stevedoring services
• Bulk cargo handling
• Breakbulk project cargo
• Intermodal logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Convent

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Stevedoring and Cargo Handling Services: Core revenue from loading and unloading of vessels, including general cargo, breakbulk, and project cargo handling. Services include crane operations, rigging, and direct oversight by foremen and production managers.
2. Terminal Port Operations: Terminal operations at multiple locations along the Lower Mississippi River including dockside transfers, covered warehousing, outside storage, and intermodal facilities connecting ship, barge, truck, and rail.
3. Midstream Operations: Barge loading and unloading services, including deckhand labor, equipment operation, and crane operations on floating midstream barges at river anchorage facilities.
4. Agricultural Commodity Exports: Specialized handling and transloading of agricultural commodities including grains, sugar, and feed products through dedicated grain transfer facilities.
5. Logistical Solutions: Total coordination of cargo movements providing comprehensive transportation and stevedoring packages for dry bulk, break bulk, and project cargo shippers.
6. Mooring Services: Mooring and unmooring services for seagoing vessels, including boat operations and linemen oversight.
7. Integrated Facility Services: Additional value-added services supporting cargo movement operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Associated Terminals is a stevedore and terminal operator providing comprehensive cargo movement solutions along the Lower Mississippi River. Core services include midstream barge operations, agricultural commodity exports, general/breakbulk/project cargo handling, terminal port operations, logistical solutions, and vessel mooring services. The company operates 14 midstream river anchorage facilities and multiple dockside terminals, supported by a modern floating crane fleet including 14 Gottwald Cranes and two new Liebherr CBG 500 E cranes.

Product overview

Associated Terminals is a maritime terminal operator and stevedore providing comprehensive cargo movement solutions primarily along the Lower Mississippi River. The company operates a platform of interconnected services including midstream operations, agricultural commodity exports, general/breakbulk/project cargo handling, terminal port operations, logistical solutions, mooring, and integrated facility services. The core offering centers on dry bulk, break bulk, and project cargo handling using specialized floating cranes and midstream river facilities. Recent equipment investments include Liebherr CBG 500 E cranes with hybrid power systems. The company has expanded through acquisitions including S.H. Bell Company and the New Orleans Bulk Terminal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Midstream Operations Midstream operations on the Lower Mississippi River including barge loading, unloading, and transfer services using floating cranes at 14 river anchorage facilities. For dry bulk commodity shippers requiring efficient river-based transfers and direct access to ocean-going vessels.
• Agricultural Commodity Exports Export services for agricultural commodities including grains, sugar, and other bulk agricultural products through direct barge-to-vessel transfers and grain transfer facilities. Includes blending, sampling, weighing, and lab certification. For agricultural exporters using Gulf ports.
• General, Breakbulk & Project Cargo Handling Handling services for general cargo, breakbulk, and project cargo including windmills, steel coils, and oversized project loads with specialized equipment. For construction, steel, and manufacturing shippers requiring heavy-lift capabilities.
• Terminal Port Operations Full-service marine terminal operations at multiple locations along the Lower Mississippi River including deep draft berthing, storage capacities, and intermodal facilities for bulk, break-bulk, and project cargo. For shippers requiring integrated terminal access.
• Logistical Solutions Comprehensive logistical solutions for cargo shippers utilizing superior locations, services, and equipment for total cargo movement solutions. For industrial customers seeking end-to-end transportation and stevedoring packages.
• Associated Mooring Mooring and unmooring services for seagoing vessels, including equipment and mooring vehicle upkeep, and launch boat operations with linemen oversight. For shipping lines and vessel operators using Lower Mississippi River facilities.
• Integrated Facility Services Integrated facility management services supporting terminal operations and maintenance functions. For terminal operators and shippers requiring on-site support.
• New Orleans Bulk Terminal A 50-acre bulk terminal facility located on the Michoud Slip off the Intracoastal Waterway, offering transfer options for barge to rail, rail to barge, barge to truck, and barge to storage. Acquired by Associated Terminals in 2020.
• S.H. Bell Company Cargo handling and storage services headquartered in Baltimore/Pittsburgh, providing cargo handling services across multiple regions. Acquired by Associated Terminals in May 2024 and continues to operate independently.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LiebherrcoreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2025Liebherr supplied two CBG 500 E cranes with advanced hybrid power systems for mounting on newly designed crane barges. The company conducted factory-acceptance testing at the Liebherr facility in Germany. Crane specifications include boom lengths up to 50 meters and lift capacity of 90 tons in sheltered waters.
• Boh Bros ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 June 2025Boh Bros. handles assembly of the crane barges at their facility. Both the 'D. Lopez' crane barge and 'Bill S.' crane barge will be assembled at Boh Bros. before entering service.
• Louisiana Cat (Walters Industries)coreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2025Louisiana Cat supplies hybrid-capable power systems for the crane barges, blending diesel and battery technologies. Systems include four Caterpillar C18 generators (565 ekW each), a Caterpillar C4.4 generator (118 ekW), and CAT XES120 127kWh Battery System.
• LAD ShipyardcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 June 2025LAD Shipyard worked closely with Associated Terminals' engineering team to customize the cranes and barges to meet the unique demands of round-the-clock operations on the Mississippi River.
• S.H. Bell CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2024Associated Terminals acquired S.H. Bell Company, a cargo handling and storage service headquartered in Pittsburgh (sources vary; one lists Baltimore). S.H. Bell provides cargo handling services in multiple regions. S.H. Bell continues to operate independently with its management team remaining in place. The acquisition enables expansion of operations, locations, and service offerings while creating synergies.
• Turn ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Associated Terminals partnered with Turn Services in 2004 to expand marine service offerings to include towing, fleeting services, and barge-related services. Turn Services provides crew boats and pull boats. Gary Poirrier serves as co-owner and chairman for Turn Services.
• University of Louisiana Maritime Academy (ULMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Terminals and Turn Services are collaborating to support the development of Louisiana's first maritime academy. The company sat down with President Jim Henderson to understand the development and future of ULMA. Associated Terminals is supporting the initiative to address the maritime workforce recruiting crisis and growing demand for trained maritime professionals. The academy aims to develop talent to meet industry needs in the Gulf South region.
• University of Louisiana SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the University of Louisiana System for the development of the University of Louisiana Maritime Academy (ULMA), the first-ever Louisiana Maritime College. The initiative aims to leverage academic resources across nine universities to create comprehensive maritime curriculum.
• Open Water InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUL partnered with the Open Water Initiative in developing ULMA's curriculum, bringing depth of understanding to maritime education development.
• RiverWorks DiscoveryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime industry partnership with RiverWorks Discovery and Junior Achievement to introduce high school freshmen to careers in the maritime industry.
• Junior AchievementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership to introduce high school students to maritime career opportunities through programs with RiverWorks Discovery.
• Port of South LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Terminals operates Globalplex Intermodal Terminal, a 335-acre maritime industrial park owned by the Port of South Louisiana. The facility is strategically located at mile posts 138.5 and 138.6 AHP in Reserve, Louisiana.
• St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociated Terminals operates the St. Bernard Port, Harbor and Terminal District, a full-service marine terminal strategically located five miles downriver from New Orleans between mileposts 83.5 and 90.5 AHP.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cooper Consolidated: Operates tugboats and barge fleeting on the Lower Mississippi River, with adjacent bulk terminal and stevedoring operations. Highly comparable given overlapping service portfolio and geographic footprint on the same waterway system.
• Ceres Terminals: Operates bulk and breakbulk marine terminals in the US Gulf region with floating crane capabilities. Directly comparable as a competing stevedore and bulk terminal operator on the Gulf Coast serving similar dry bulk and project cargo customers.
• International-Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT): Operates bulk liquid terminal and storage facilities in US ports including Gulf Coast locations. Comparable terminal operations model though focused on liquid rather than dry bulk; serves some overlapping Gulf industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• Ports America: Largest US terminal operator and stevedore, providing containerized and bulk cargo handling across multiple coastal ports. Operates at broader scale and geography than Associated Terminals but offers overlapping stevedoring capabilities in overlapping Gulf markets.
• Kirby Corporation: Largest US inland marine transportation operator with extensive barge fleet serving the Mississippi River system. Adjacent rather than direct overlap; serves similar cargo customers and geography through inland barge transportation, complementing Associated Terminals' terminal handling.
• American Commercial Barge Lines (ACBL): Major operator of inland barge transportation on the Mississippi River system. Comparable customer base of bulk commodity shippers and overlapping Lower Mississippi River geography, though focused on barge transportation rather than terminal handling.
• Kinder Morgan Terminals: One of the largest US terminal operators across liquid and bulk products with extensive Gulf Coast and inland terminal infrastructure. Operates at significantly larger scale than Associated Terminals but competes for some of the same industrial bulk customers.

Regional players

• Crescent Towing & Salvage: Operates harbor towing and vessel assistance on the Lower Mississippi River through Gulf-South locations. Directly comparable geographic footprint and overlapping marine services customer base, though focused on towage rather than terminal handling.
• Blessey Marine Services: Operates inland marine vessels (towboats, barges) primarily on the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Overlapping regional presence and customer base with Associated Terminals in the Gulf South marine logistics market.

Others

• Turn Services (Affiliate): Wholly-owned marine services subsidiary of Associated Terminals, providing towing, fleeting, and barge-related services on the Mississippi River. Included as ecosystem reference given direct corporate affiliation and integrated service delivery with the subject company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/associatedterm
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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associated Terminals