I-House USDA import inspections will now take place at Lineage’s facility (see map below), in addition to existing USDA export inspections. I-House, or import house, is a facility that specializes in streamlined, on-site USDA inspection services for imported proteins, according to the organizations.
Lineage, a temperature-controlled warehouse REIT (real estate investment trust), also has a cold-storage facility at the Henry Clay Avenue Wharf in Uptown New Orleans. Shipments from both of its facilities come from multiple Louisiana poultry producers, including hatcheries, feed mills, broiler complexes, and processing plants. Additionally, both facilities offer ancillary services including blast freezing, transloading, and integrated transportation supply chain solutions.
Lineage entered the New Orleans market in 2020 by acquiring New Orleans Cold Storage as part of its acquisition of Emergent Cold. In 2021, Lineage announced a $42 million expansion of its Jourdan Road facility along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, growing from 160,000 square feet to 304,000 square feet. The project was completed in 2022. Now, through state of Louisiana and Port NOLA funding, an approximately $20 million investment in infrastructure updates is being made to the Jourdan Road facility, according to Lineage and the Port.
“In addition to the new import services, we also continue to appreciate the value-added exports of Lineage that strengthen Louisiana’s $1.6 billion poultry industry, including nearly 300 commercial broiler producers throughout 11 parishes,” said Beth Ann Branch, who last fall became President and CEO of Port NOLA and CEO of NOPB, a Class III switching railroad with direct connections to all six Class I railroads. “We look forward to expanding our partnership with Lineage to continue to be a key player in the global food supply chain.”
“Streamlined inspection services are crucial for products like meat and poultry, which require 100% USDA inspection before hitting the market,” said Brian Beattie, Lineage President, Western US Operations. “Having this capability on-site helps get these products to market quickly and efficiently while meeting all regulatory requirements. The Port of New Orleans and its strategic location are critical to helping feed the country and the world. Lineage hopes to bring additional business to New Orleans and serve customers importing beef, pork, exotic meats, and various seafood products with our new I-House capabilities.”
In another development, Americold Realty Trust is investing up to C$80 million to develop its first Import-Export Hub in Canada at Port Saint John, to be served by Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
