Today the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) announced that it has named Amanda Coates as its Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Coates will lead the port’s business development strategies and real estate operations, further strengthening its position as a market leader. Her appointment reflects Port NOLA’s commitment to not only attracting top talent and fostering a culture of excellence, but also to investing in and growing our workforce into positions of increasing responsibility.

The Port of New Orleans has the largest public footprint of Louisiana’s ports, with 24 berths, 20 million square feet of cargo handling areas, 2 cruise terminals, and 2,500 acres of industrial real estate.

Coates will be responsible for driving Port NOLA’s growth initiatives, forging, and cultivating strategic partnerships, as well as identifying new avenues for revenue generation. Additionally, she will oversee the management of Port NOLA’s real estate portfolio, ensuring optimal utilization of assets and alignment with driving economic prosperity in our three-parish jurisdiction.

Amanda Coates

“Since 2018, Amanda Coates has brought invaluable maritime knowledge and experience to our global gateway,” said Port NOLA President & CEO and New Orleans Public Belt (NOPB) CEO, Brandy D. Christian. “She is a strategic and visionary leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and proven track record for success. Her expertise will be vital as we push forward on the largest public economic development project in the state, the Louisiana International Terminal.”

Coates began her tenure with the Port of New Orleans in 2018 as Commercial Manager and was named Head of Business Development in 2023. Under her leadership, the port has marked record growth in container volumes, driven new trade opportunities and provided innovative supply chain solutions to support import, export and breakbulk cargo operations.

Prior to joining Port NOLA in 2018, Coates worked for more than 15 years in various operational and commercial roles for the world’s largest global ocean container carrier, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

“I am thrilled to lead the Port’s commercial strategy and growth initiatives in this new role,” said Coates. As a multi-modal logistics enabler, Port NOLA can deliver a range of marine, rail, barge, truck, and real estate solutions to customers. Furthermore, we are building for the future as well as today’s market needs with the Louisiana International Terminal project. As a proud resident of St. Bernard Parish, I look forward to continuing the port’s commitment to delivering a project that will transform Louisiana and St. Bernard Parish’s economy, bringing opportunity and prosperity for our region for generations to come. The economic benefits of the Louisiana International Terminal to St. Bernard and the State cannot be overstated. It will bring family-supporting jobs and tax revenues that will multiply locally and statewide.”

Coates has long had a passion for economic development and has worked to align and maintain synergies with State, regional and local economic development organizations. She currently serves as a board member for Green Coffee Association and Saint Bernard Chamber of Commerce and held previous board seats on GNO Inc.’s NextGen Council, Memphis World Trade Club.