Shipping line moves components of offshore platform at port.

Intermarine, a leading worldwide provider of ocean transport as well as inland heavy-haul transportation services for breakbulk, specialized project and heavy lift cargoes, will reopen its New Orleans headquarters June 5, company officials said.

The New Orleans-based company, which was founded here in 1990, had temporarily relocated its headquarters and personnel to Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Katrina. Greg Stangel, Intermarine's vice president of marketing and systems, said "It has always been our intent to return to New Orleans and we are very happy to do so. We were forced to wait until we could logistically manage the relocation with our personnel and waiting until the summer was the most appropriate time for us."

Intermarine's US flagged M/V Ocean Atlas was the company's first ship to call on the Port of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast Aug. 29. The 395-foot 8,000-deadweight ton heavy-lift ship has twin 200-ton cranes onboard. The ship is one of 20 in Intermarine's services and it docked at the Port's Louisiana Avenue Complex. Stevedore Coastal Cargo worked the ship, which moved components for an offshore platform.

Intermarine services call the Port of New Orleans on an inducement basis once or twice each month.

"We are pleased another important portion of the shipping community is returning to New Orleans," said LaGrange. "Intermarine is a loyal customer and each returning service strengthens the future of the Port and the entire region."