Key Challenges

Nashville Avenue Wharf (commonly referred to as Nashville Wharf) is a major multi-berth cargo terminal operated by the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) along the east bank of the Mississippi River at River Miles 99.8 to 101.1 Above Head of Passes (AHP). Working in this active marine environment presented significant challenges for our cleaning and painting project on the wharf’s structural steel:

• Variable Mississippi River levels: The river’s fluctuating stages (often changing several feet daily or seasonally) created constantly shifting water lines, making traditional fixed containment impractical and increasing the risk of gaps in protection during tidal or flood influences.
• Active port operations: The wharf remained fully operational with vessel berthing, cargo loading/unloading, and heavy equipment movement, requiring work to be performed with minimal disruption to Port NOLA’s critical commerce activities.
• Marine environment and environmental compliance: Harsh saltwater exposure, combined with the need for strict Port of New Orleans environmental standards, demanded zero-discharge containment of debris, dust, and paint residues to protect the sensitive Mississippi River ecosystem and maintain regulatory compliance.

These conditions required flexible, adaptive solutions that could accommodate rapid changes in river stage while ensuring full environmental protection.

How We Met the Challenge

Paragon successfully delivered a high-quality cleaning and painting restoration of the Nashville Wharf structural steel while maintaining full operational continuity and strict environmental compliance for the Port of New Orleans.

To address the challenges of variable river levels and the active marine setting, we developed and implemented innovative containment and ventilation systems specifically engineered for rapid mobilization and demobilization. These modular, adjustable enclosures were tailored to the wharf’s steel elements and could be quickly repositioned or reconfigured as river stages changed, ensuring continuous sealed protection without extended downtime.

• The custom containment setups incorporated negative-pressure ventilation and multi-layer barriers to fully capture all spent abrasive, paint debris, and residues, preventing any release into the Mississippi River.
• Surface preparation was performed to the highest standards, followed by application of a durable, marine-grade high-performance coating system designed for long-term corrosion resistance in the aggressive atmospheric and splash-zone conditions of the Mississippi River.
• All work was executed with rigorous environmental monitoring and close coordination with Port NOLA to avoid any impact on cargo operations or vessel movements.

By combining innovative engineering, efficient staging, and a strong commitment to safety and compliance, we completed the project with zero environmental incidents and no disruption to port activities